Do you want to Lead the Change?

Yorkshire Sport Foundation is proud to launch a second round of ‘Lead the Change’, an initiative that launched in February 2025 to support more ethnically diverse people into leadership roles in sport and physical activity.

Working alongside partners, Sporting Equals, Equity Coach, Blacklight Consultancy, West Riding County FA and Huddersfield Town AFC , the programme will provide the second cohort with the opportunity to benefit from a five-day leadership programme between January and June 2026.

In-person workshops will include providing an overview of the sporting systems and structures in the UK; development of a personal plan to support a person’s aspirations; and support to provide skills, knowledge and insights necessary for Executive and Non-Executive Director roles within the sports and physical activity sector.

Alongside the training for individuals, there will be a continuation of the anti-racism and cultural awareness workshop that took place in May 2025. This workshop for senior leaders will improve their understanding of how to attract applications for leadership roles from people with a diverse ethnic background.

A Loughborough University report in 2025 indicated ‘that ethnically diverse groups remain under-represented in the senior leadership workforce in sports in the UK. This is especially the case at Board and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) level of sports governance.’

Carl Hawkes, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Sport Foundation, said: "From day one, the vision behind 'Lead the Change' has been to support and elevate people from ethnically diverse backgrounds into leadership roles. I'm absolutely thrilled to announce that three members of our first cohort have been successful in being appointed to leadership roles. While the road to systemic change is long, seeing this success proves we are on the right path. Continuing 'Lead the Change' into a second year demonstrates our ongoing commitment to diversifying leadership in our sector".

Hannah Simpson, CEO at West Riding County Football Association said: "West Riding FA is thrilled to partner with Yorkshire Sport Foundation and Huddersfield Town on the 'Lead the Change' project.

Our first cohort earlier this year set an incredible standard, demonstrating the power and potential that comes from investing in diverse leadership. This initiative is about breaking down barriers and ensuring that people from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds have the support, skills, and confidence to aspire to, and achieve, leadership roles, including positions on company boards. Together, we are committed to fostering greater representation and driving meaningful change across our communities."

Zoe Shackleton, Head of HR and EDI at Huddersfield Town AFC said: "We are delighted to partner with Yorkshire Sport Foundation and West Riding County FA on the 'Lead the Change' project’. 

"Providing opportunities to people from under-represented groups is something that the Club takes very seriously, and we are keen to support this programme that aims to remove barriers and access to leadership positions, by equipping the participants with skills, knowledge, and confidence that will enable them to attain and excel in senior roles.  The programme dovetails perfectly with our ‘Terriers Together’ equality, diversity, and inclusion strategy and ambitions, and we are very much looking forward to supporting the next cohort."

Paul Reddish of Equity Coach said: "After such an engaged and inspiring first cohort, we are really excited to be part of the second edition of the Lead the Change Programme.  We saw so much growth and aspiration from the first group, we've no doubt this programme can really help 'Lead the Change'."

Find out more and apply at www.yorkshiresport.org/LeadTheChange