Lead the Change
‘Lead the Change’ is an initiative to support more ethnically diverse people into leadership roles in sport and physical activity.
We are working alongside partners, Sporting Equals, West Riding County FA, Yorkshire Cricket, AKD Solutions, and Equity Coach, to provide up to 20 people from South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire with the opportunity to benefit from a five-day leadership programme between February and June 2025.
The Perrett Laver report (2020) found that the proportion of board members from ethnically diverse backgrounds in sports organisations was less than half the national average (7.9% vs 18%).
Participants will be required to attend all five full days in-person. The content of each session includes:
Day one - ‘Race’, Culture and Sport (led by Equity Coach)
Tuesday 11 February, Headingley Stadium
- The history of ‘race’ and sport - how our systems are setup and the legacies we are confronting
- Institutions and racism - Simpson’s PCS model on institutional oppression, and the importance of intersectionality in understanding how organisations work.
- Cultural identity, cultural competency, it’s link to bias and inclusion
Once this is completed, the group will discuss these issues in more detail.
Days two and three - Positive Action in Leadership (led by AKD Solutions)
Day two: ‘Listening Circles’ and ‘It’s Time to Change The Narrative’
Tuesday 11 March, Headingley Stadium
Providing an opportunity for everyone to speak about their lived experience and identify what type of development they will benefit from. The feedback from these listening circles will help shape the delivery of the next part of the programme, including a workshop that supports people to be confident in reshaping the narrative about Race in the workplace.
Day three: Sport, Leadership and Me
Tuesday 8 April, Headingley Stadium
Supporting all individuals to clearly articulate their aspirations and develop a personal plan that aligns with those. This will support you to understand what it takes to lead within the sports industry and allow you to shape what great leadership within sport looks like.
Days four and five - Getting Board Ready (led by Sporting Equals)
Day four - Effective Leadership in the boardroom
Wednesday 23 April, West Riding County Football Association
This will equip participants with the skills, knowledge and insights necessary for Non-Executive Director roles within national governing bodies (NGB’s) or other sports organisations. You will hear from those who have or have previously held board positions. This module emphasises the importance of inclusive decision-making and cultural competence in leadership roles. Participants will engage with case studies, interactive discussions, and personal narratives that illustrate the unique challenges and strategies these leaders faced. Topics such as ethical governance, stakeholder engagement, and the importance of diverse perspectives will be explored.
Day five – Raising your Profile
Tuesday 17 June, West Riding County Football Association
The ‘Raising your profile’ module focuses on enhancing participants professional profiles through targeted skills development in the following areas:
- CV writing
- Interview skills
- Cover letters
- LinkedIn profiles
Alongside the training for individuals, a one-day anti-racism workshop has been scheduled for leaders within organisations to help them be better placed to attract applications for leadership roles from people with a diverse ethnic background.
Wednesday 21 May, West Riding County Football Association.
How to apply:
Complete our application form by 5pm on Monday 20 January.
All applicants will be contacted by Friday 31 January.
If you have any questions, email Tahir.Akram@yorkshiresport.org