Prince William, the Prince of Wales, made a vibrant appearance at Sporting Khalsa FC in Willenhall, West Midlands, on 18 September 2023, where he engaged with local fans and participated in a referee training course aimed at increasing diversity within officiating roles in football.

During his visit, Prince William was in an exceptionally buoyant mood as he greeted royal enthusiasts, who chanted his name in delight. He performed a brief walkabout, shaking hands and interacting with those gathered to see him. A notable moment occurred when he met a fan with bright red hair, leading him to exclaim, “Your hair! It’s fantastic!” He then humorously remarked about his own lack of hair, stating, “I wish I had hair like that! You look amazing. I’ve lost the chance.” The interaction was well-received, with royal fans celebrating his easy-going nature on social media, dubbing him the “People’s Prince”.

His visit aligned with his role as patron of the Football Association (FA), which is currently running the Reflective and Representative campaign. This initiative aims to recruit 1,000 referees from Black, Asian, and Mixed Heritage backgrounds to enhance diversity within football officiating. The training course he attended is designed for participants aged 14 and older, equipping them with essential skills for refereeing grassroots matches. This project started in July 2023 and has already surpassed its initial recruitment goals.

William demonstrated a hands-on approach during the training, participating in classroom activities that involved analysing video clips to determine appropriate refereeing decisions. He commented light-heartedly on his decisions, saying, “I’ll follow the crowd,” after deliberating with younger students about issuing cards. He also received guidance on whistle signals and flag gestures, engaging with the youth participants throughout the session.

In addition to the referee training course, Prince William interacted warmly with schoolchildren from Fibbersley Park Primary Academy. He high-fived many children, exchanged playful banter, and remarked about their homemade signs as well as their missing lessons to greet him. One particularly enthusiastic child caught his attention with a sign proclaiming “Aston Villa are the best”, prompting a conversation related to the team’s upcoming match.

The community aspect of his visit was underscored by meetings with representatives from the FA and Sporting Khalsa FC to discuss expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups in football. Raj Randhawa, the FA’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion delivery manager, emphasised the importance of the prince’s visit, stating, “For him to come and meet some of the participants staring their referee journey, it will live long in the memories for them.”

Overall, the visit highlighted Prince William’s commitment to promoting diversity in sports and showcased his approachable personality, as he seamlessly interacted with fans and young participants alike. His efforts at Sporting Khalsa FC exemplified not only his role within the FA but also his ability to connect with the community in a light-hearted and relatable manner.

Source: Noah Wire Services