Systems Leadership was all about amplifying a model of leadership that’s not about managing, but about how to make things happen, across sectors, in a collaborative way. It is designed to help people lead when they don't have positional power, levers to pull, or a large budget to wield.
Over two years we hosted a series of open workshops focused on storytelling, community leadership, collaboration and influence. Following on from this, in 2025 we launched a peer support project in Greater Manchester. This short program focused on giving space to those from the global majority to explore the lack of representation in leadership within the sports and physical activity sector.
We recruited 9 participants and brought the group together at an initial on-boarding meet-up in October. In November we hosted a workshop (pictured) focused on the relationship between Sport and 'Race', and the role of leaders in reimagining sport.
We got to learn a lot from Paul Reddish about where race originates from in sports and physical activity. Learning that modern sports originated during colonialism with Victorian values and sports was used to teach Victorian values. Sports was used as a tool in empire to colonize people and this impacted participation.
We kicked off 2026 with a peer support session where we invited Khadija, Founder and CEO of Krimmz Girls Youth Club, to talk about barriers for women's and girls in sports and physical activity.
Khadija spoke openly about the specific barriers Muslim women and girls face in accessing and staying in sport, many of which are still misunderstood or overlooked. Many in the room resonated with these barriers. As people from racialised backgrounds, many had faced similar such as: cost of participation, social and cultural stereotypes, as well as lack of funding for women's and girls' sports.
The workshop focused on barrier mapping, looking honestly at what stops girls and women from taking part, staying involved, or progressing. Together, we explored how these barriers can be removed, adapted, or redesigned, rather than expecting women and girls to fit into systems that were never designed with them in mind.
We used the second half of the session to reflect on our own personal background, culture, and early influences on our leadership values and styles. This was an opportunity for participants to get creative...
Have a go at creating your own cultural tree:
- Roots: personal background, culture, early influences
- Trunk: core values and strengths
- Branches: aspirations and leadership style
- Leaves: contributions and impact
Reflect on the following questions to help you get a deeper understanding of your leadership values:
How has your background shaped the way you lead?
Which part of your Tree do you feel needs more attention or growth?
How do your roots and branches influence the impact you want to have?
We concluded the activity by sharing in the group how our culture and background impact our leadership. The group shared that their collective values were centred around community, kindness, support.
If you're intrigued and want to learn more, please join us for the end of program event in April to:
- Hear from participants in a panel discussion
- Network with those working in the sector
- Learn about the positive impact of peer support spaces
- Discuss next steps to help diversify leadership
