A first cohort of future leaders has completed Yorkshire Sport Foundation’s collaborative ‘Lead the Change’ training programme.
The initiative was created to support more ethnically diverse people into leadership roles in sport and physical activity, and ran over five days between February and June 2025.
Along with the Foundation, it has been supported by Sporting Equals, AKD Solutions, Equity Coach, West Riding County FA and Yorkshire Cricket.
Now planning has commenced for the second cohort with Tahir Akram, Development Manager for Yorkshire Sport Foundation, reflecting: “Two years ago when we started with the idea of Lead the Change, one of the partners quite rightly said 'we're not looking for unicorns' when discussing where we were going to find ethnically diverse leaders.
IMPRESSIVE
“The last day of Lead the Change took place a few weeks ago and I have been lucky enough to spend all five days with the group. I can confirm we had no unicorns in the group just some pretty impressive leaders!”
Tahir added: “Two of these leaders have already found their way into leadership positions, and having spent plenty of time with them, I am in no way surprised.
“Changing the system takes time, one programme of Lead the Change isn't going to change it. But it absolutely is the start of something meaningful, something which has action at the heart of it and is committed to creating leaders filled with confidence and resilience across our patch.
“We have already started planning for the second cohort of Lead the Change, we will take the lessons learnt from the first cohort and look to improve and evolve. We're here for the long ride.”
ASPIRATIONS
The scheme provided access to online learning modules around the history of ‘race’ and sport, while in-person workshops gave participants an overview of the sporting systems and structures in the UK. They were supported with personal development plans around their own aspirations, and developed the skills, knowledge and insights necessary for Non-Executive Director roles within national governing bodies or other sports organisations. Alongside the training for the candidates, a one-day anti-racism workshop was also provided for senior leaders within the region.
Tahir thanked numerous stakeholders and contributors to the programme, and commented: “Throughout this journey, one thing I have learnt is that despite the way the system is set up and the barriers that this group have had to overcome, there are some brilliant people that are doing so much work in the background.
“We are guilty of getting lost in the negativity of this world at times but it's important to remember there are plenty of people with strong values and excellent morals that are fighting the good fight!”
Read more about Lead the Change.
To find out more about the second cohort which is launching soon, please contact Tahir.Akram@yorkshiresport.org
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