Isthmian League

Sophie Cook is our first Equalities and Diversity Officer

The Hawks are delighted to announce that Dr Sophie Cook FRSA will be the club’s first Equalities & Diversity Officer, taking up her role in readiness for the 2020/21 season, the Hawk’s 75th Anniversary.

The Equalities & Diversity role is an FA initiative designed to ensure that all non-league football clubs are compliant with current relevant equalities and diversity standards, including those developed by the Isthmian Football League, Sussex FA and the FA

Dr. Cook is one of the most prominent transgender writers and broadcasters in the country, and was the first transgender woman to work in football’s Premier League as club photographer for AFC Bournemouth following her transition from Steve to Sophie in the summer of 2015. 

Sophie Cook with artist David Shrigley OBE at the Launch of Football United in 2019

She is an in-demand public speaker, delivering keynote talks internationally including a TEDx Talk on change, fear, vulnerability, diversity, mental health and LGBT workshops for high profile organisations such as JP Morgan, Virgin Media, Asda and Stonewall. She regularly speaks at football events for Fans For Diversity and visited Moscow to speak to LGBT activists during the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Sophie is also the Player Manager of Whitehawk Football Club’s LGBTQ+ team Rainbow Rovers, and is listed in the top 20 of the 2019 Brighton Power 100; the 100 most influential people in the region.

Hawks Chairman Andy Schofield said, “We are delighted to appoint Sophie to this new official role. She is a Hawks fan, has been instrumental in setting up Rainbow Rovers and has lots of ideas for making the club even more inclusive.”

Sophie Cook said “Football holds a unique position within our society to carry the message of diversity and equality into areas that are often ignored and written off. The game is a universal language that transcends social barriers and I am delighted and very proud to be the first equalities and diversity officer at Whitehawk FC.”

Sophie Cook with (l-r) Maria Ryder and Anwar Uddin from the Football Supporters Association, Steve Darby and Hawks Head of Commercial & Marketing, Kevin Miller. 

She added: “Rainbow Rovers sends out the message that the beautiful game belongs to everyone regardless of sexuality, gender identity, race, religion or gender.”

——Ends——

For further information contact Kevin Miller, 

Head of Commercial & Marketing on 07830 736234 kevin.miller@whitehawkfc.com

Comments (6)

  1. Rainbow Laces: Sophie Cook, the first trans woman to work in the Premier League, wins British LGBT Award | Football News – Carelyst

    […] public speaker, a published author, a parliamentary candidate, a TV and radio broadcaster, the first-ever Equalities and Diversity Officer at her local club Whitehawk FC in Brighton, and last year she was awarded the title of Doctor of Letters by Bournemouth University in […]

  2. Rainbow Laces: Sophie Cook, the first trans woman to work in the Premier League, wins British LGBT Award – Florida Daily Chronicle

    […] public speaker, a published author, a parliamentary candidate, a television and radio broadcaster, the first ever Equalities and Diversity Officer at her local club Whitehawk FC in Brighton, and last year she was awarded the title of Doctor of Letters by Bournemouth University in […]

  3. Rainbow Laces: Sophie Cook, the first trans woman to work in the Premier League, wins British LGBT Award | Football News – NyTodayNews

    […] public speaker, a published author, a parliamentary candidate, a TV and radio broadcaster, the first-ever Equalities and Diversity Officer at her local club Whitehawk FC in Brighton, and last year she was awarded the title of Doctor of Letters by Bournemouth University in […]

  4. Rainbow Laces: Sophie Cook, the primary trans lady to work within the Premier League, wins British LGBT Award – Electronics Ward News

    […] in-demand public speaker, a printed creator, a parliamentary candidate, a TV and radio broadcaster, the first-ever Equalities and Diversity Officer at her native membership Whitehawk FC in Brighton, and final yr she was awarded the title of Doctor of Letters by Bournemouth University in […]

  5. ‘Coming out in football? It’s not as bad as you might think’ – GaleForceNews.com

    […] public speaker, a published author, a parliamentary candidate, a TV and radio broadcaster, the first-ever Equalities and Diversity Officer at her local club Whitehawk FC in Brighton, and last year she was awarded the title of Doctor of Letters by Bournemouth University in […]

  6. 'Coming out in football? It's not as bad as you might think' | United Hours

    […] public speaker, a published author, a parliamentary candidate, a TV and radio broadcaster, the first-ever Equalities and Diversity Officer at her local club Whitehawk FC in Brighton, and last year she was awarded the title of Doctor of Letters by Bournemouth University in […]

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