A NEW football club in Bradford aimed at increasing Asian participation in the sport has kicked-off a partnership with some of the game's prominent organisations.

Shapla FC has joined forces with football's anti-racism group Kick It Out, the Football Supporters' Federation, Bradford City and the West Riding County FA in an effort to promote the game among the city's ethnic minority communities and help create an inclusive football environment for all.

Kick It Out - through its Fans for Diversity campaign - and the supporters' federation has brokered the link-up between the other three organisations.

To mark the partnership, the new club hosted an event for about 80 schoolchildren, aged between five and 16 years, at BEAP Community Partnership Centre in Bradford where the youngsters took part in a football training session, a Kick It Out workshop, and a tour of Bradford City's Valley Parade ground.

Humayan Islam, co-founder of Shapla Football Club, said: "We want to increase Asian participation in grassroots football. We are very privileged to say we can have our dream come true with the support and guidance of Kick It Out, Football Supporters' Federation, West Riding County FA and Bradford City FC.

“Shapla Football Club has been providing free football sessions to Asian youths at the BEAP Community Sports hall. We would not have been able to provide the service without the time dedicated by the volunteers. We are very grateful for the support of the volunteers and the community supporting our club.

“We hope the event will encourage more Asian youths to take part in grassroots football. We want Asian youths to be inspired and see further inclusion and integration within football and the wider community."

The Shapla club was born hot on the heels of the recent launch of the Bangla Bantams, a Bradford City supporters' group set up with help from the Fans for Diversity campaign. Both Shapla and Bangla Bantams hope to bring Bradford's ethnic minority communities closer to the FA Cup giantkillers.

David Dowse, facilities manager at City, said: "Bradford City is delighted that this grassroots initiative is continuing to develop the interest of youngsters in our community in playing football.

"Shapla FC have attended two Bradford City games this season after their morning training sessions and we are delighted that they enjoyed both their training and their involvement with their local club.

"This initiative will support the youngsters’ development in the future and we look forward to staying involved as Shapla FC goes from strength to strength."

Roisin Wood, Director of Kick It Out, said: "With our Season of Action shining a spotlight on grassroots and community activities, it is important that we as an equalities organisation support Asian participation in football, and events like this will hopefully encourage all to embrace diversity within the game."

Daniel McGeachie, of West Riding County FA, said: "A major priority for us is to ensure that grassroots football fairly and accurately reflects the communities it serves."