![](https://f5react.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/32B578FA-A993-401D-9BE8-F166105F40A0.webp)
U.K. rap and grime star Stormzy and adidas Football have just announced the launch of their collaborative venture #Merky FC — a careers program that is committed to enhancing and protecting diverse representation in the football industry.
Stormzy — who is due to drop his third studio album This Is What I Mean on November 25 — has a number of non-music ventures, such as #Merky books, which is a publishing imprint that gives both establishing and rising Black authors the platform to succeed. In addition to this, Big Mikey also has his #Merky Foundation which each year, financially supports Black students to allow them to attend the University of Cambridge — one of the U.K.’s most prestigious schools.
![](https://f5react.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/E798369E-1153-4F5B-8FB2-0006D638C77E-1024x682.webp)
With this being said, Stormzy’s latest initiative will now see the life-long Manchester United fan move into the world of football with #Merky FC. The initiative will provide access to U.K.-based football career opportunities and mentoring, while adidas and 10 industry-leading brands will also offer work placements within their business in a bid to change the game. And while #Merky FC is open to all, applications are specifically encouraged to come from candidates aged 18-24 who identify as Black or mixed Black heritage.
With this being said, Stormzy’s latest initiative will now see the life-long Manchester United fan move into the world of football with #Merky FC. The initiative will provide access to U.K.-based football career opportunities and mentoring, while adidas and 10 industry-leading brands will also offer work placements within their business in a bid to change the game. And while #Merky FC is open to all, applications are specifically encouraged to come from candidates aged 18-24 who identify as Black or mixed Black heritage.
![](https://f5react.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/C2C37DBF-811F-44FA-97A0-E4E762D3C2D4-1024x682.webp)
The launch of the new football initiative has surfaced following research that has been commissioned by adidas in collaboration with FARE Network. It has revealed that just 6.7% of senior roles in football are taken by someone who identifies as Black or mixed Black heritage. Moreover, it has also been discovered that 64% of Black British young people aspire to be professional footballers, yet only 0.012% will make it as Premier League professionals.