The Next Generation: Youth Activism and New Leadership

What does it really look like when young people from ethnically diverse communities lead change in sport? Moving beyond participation to step into roles as leaders, mentors, and decision-makers builds confidence in the next generation of athletes and supports sustained growth within grassroots organisations, all in the pursuit of genuine inclusivity.  In this episode of Equity in Action, host Zoiey Smale, Disability, Access, and Inclusion Consultant and Sports Presenter, is joined by Simran Hayer, Sporting Equals Ambassador and Community Football Leader, Azi Mohammed, Chief Operating Officer of Salaam Peace, and Dr. Paul Campbell, Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Leicester. Together, they explore the impact of diverse leadership in sporting organisations. Drawing on perspectives from community practice, lived experience, and academic research, Zoiey, Simran, Azi, and Paul highlight the power of representation, the need to shift from reactive to proactive systems, and the structural changes required by national governing bodies to make sport genuinely inclusive and anti-racist.  In this conversation, the panel explores:  How youth activism is reshaping sport at both grassroots and leadership levels.  Why representation and inclusion must go hand in hand, and why optical diversity alone is not enough.  How social media and digital nativity are transforming activism.  What National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and sports organisations must change structurally to foster inclusivity and anti-racism.  How to create real, sustainable pathways for diverse young leaders.  ---  Sporting Equals is a leading UK charity promoting race equality and equity in sport and physical activity. Their mission is to create a sporting landscape where ethnically diverse communities feel included, represented, and able to thrive – whether on the pitch, in leadership, or in decision-making spaces.