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Wolves to trial 'Rooney Rule' next season

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Wolves will interview at least one black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) candidate for first-team coaching roles as part of a new Football League pilot scheme.

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They are one of just four Championship clubs who will trial the "Rooney Rule" style scheme during the 2016/17 season.

Jez Moxey said Wolves were keen to trial the scheme, which he hoped would help achieve positive change in football.

The new measures are aimed at tackling under-representation of managers and coaches from certain cultural backgrounds.

As of today it is now mandatory for all clubs across the Football League to interview a BAME candidate if a position becomes available at academy level.

But Wolves – along with Blues, Fulham and Huddersfield – will trial the same notion at first-team level.

So for example if Kenny Jackett were to leave the club at any point next season, Wolves would now be duty-bound to interview one person with a BAME background.

A similar policy is in place in American Football, known as the Rooney Rule as named after Pittsburgh Steelers chairman Dan Rooney.

Chesterfield, Coventry City, Millwall, Peterborough United, Accrington Stanley and Carlisle United will also trial the scheme.

The measures were announced by the Football League - where Moxey sits as a board member - today.

Moxey said: "We very much welcome the EFL's (English Football League's) efforts to tackle the clear under-representation of coaches and managers from BAME backgrounds.

"Wolves recently became one of the first clubs in the country to receive the equality and diversity code of practice standard, which is run by the EFL and Kick it Out.

"Therefore, we were very keen to also put Wolves forward as one of the BAME pilot clubs.

"The EFL's BAME strategy will ensure a consistent and best practice approach throughout football, which can hopefully achieve positive change."

Chairman Greg Clarke added: "I believe this is an important moment for sport in this country and I'm very proud that it is our clubs that are leading the way.

"They have done the right thing and deserve considerable credit.

"It is absolutely essential that EFL (English Football League) clubs continue to reflect the communities in which they are based.

"This includes ensuring that recruitment practices are open and transparent with appointments being made on the basis of merit alone.

"It is clear to us that we currently have an under-representation of BAME managers and coaches at club level and it is therefore the right time to take proportionate action to ensure the best talent, from all backgrounds, is given a fair opportunity to enter and progress through the system."

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