Jenkinson and Nobbs part of 'Next 20'

Kick It Out, football's equality and inclusion campaign launched an initiative, the ‘Next 20’ on Wednesday which heralds a range of ambassadors from a number of clubs across England and Wales.

Carl Jenkinson and Arsenal Ladies midfielder Jordan Nobbs are among the ambassadors who will help spread key equality and inclusion messages for this season and beyond.

The 'Next 20' forms part of Kick It Out’s 'Season of Action' to commemorate its 20-year anniversary. The players from across the Premier League, Football League and Women’s Super League (WSL) will raise awareness of the organisation and its work by engaging with younger members of their local community, through a variety of activities.

Jenkinson said: “I’m thrilled to be part of this 'Next 20' alongside a number of other great players. To me and other people of my generation, Kick It Out has been a very important part of our footballing education and I have seen first hand the positive effect it has had. Discrimination has no place in the game and it is something I want to stress to the younger generation. Football is the national game and it is for everyone to enjoy.”

Lord Herman Ouseley, chair of Kick It Out, feels these exciting young players are symbolic of the diverse nature of Great Britain and what the professional game should strive to be in the future.

“This is an important step in the progression of our work, in that we engage with players who can help shape our objectives with their experiences,” he said.

“These players were specifically chosen as they reflected the diverse nature of the country and we hope that in the future they will reflect the diverse nature of football on a mass scale. They are an important part of our aim to eradicate discrimination and under-representation in football now and in the future.

List of 'Next 20' players:

Carl Jenkinson (Arsenal FC)
Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal Ladies FC)
Danny Rose (Barnsley FC)
Jason Lowe (Blackburn Rovers FC)
Dylan Lall (Brighton & Hove Albion FC)
Nathaniel Chalobah (Chelsea FC on loan at Nottingham Forest FC)
Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea FC on loan at Everton FC)
Callum Wilson (Coventry City FC)
Toni Duggan (Everton Ladies FC)
Andre Wisdom (Liverpool FC on loan at Derby County FC)
Daniel Powell (MK Dons FC)
Gael Bigirimana (Newcastle United FC)
Nathan Redmond (Norwich City FC)
Jamaal Lascelles (Nottingham Forest FC)
Michael Harriman (Queens Park Rangers FC on loan at Gillingham FC)
Harry Maguire (Sheffield United FC)
Jack Butland (Stoke City FC on loan at Barnsley FC)
Ben Davies (Swansea City FC)
Wesley Foderingham (Swindon Town FC)
Romaine Sawyers (Walsall FC)