International Women’s Day is always a moment of reflection for me. A moment to honour the women who shaped me, the women I admire today, and the women and girls whose futures we’re responsible for building. It’s also a moment to think critically about what more we can each do – not just in words, but in action.
This year, my reflections have led me to my role as a Trustee for Raising Her Game, an organisation dedicated to breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for women and girls in sport. Their mission is simple but urgent: every girl deserves the chance to move, belong, feel safe, and thrive through sport, no matter her background or circumstances. Their work, from leadership development to community-based programmes is building the confidence, resilience and joy that physical activity brings. And that mission resonates deeply with me.
I often talk about being raised by a strong circle of women – aunties, Nan, mentors and, importantly, my Mum. Their strength, their laughter, their resilience and the quiet sacrifices they made, shaped my values and the way I show up in the world. But I also saw the barriers they faced. From limited access to safe spaces to be active, to fewer opportunities to participate freely in sport.
These experiences didn’t just shape me. They grounded me in purpose. I want a developed landscape for girls like my sister; I want a world where girls and women can grow up knowing that the world of sport belongs to them too.
Stepping into a trustee role isn’t just about governance. It’s about impact. Trustees help shape strategy, widen networks, challenge inequality and hold organisations accountable to the communities they’re meant to serve. For me, becoming a trustee is a way to:
- Champion access
- Build safer spaces
- Strengthen the system
- Expand my skills and network for greater impact
I want girls, especially those who look like my sister or come from communities like mine, to grow up knowing that sport is for them; their voices matter; their safety matters; their wellbeing matters; their futures matter.
Sport is more than physical activity. It’s identity, confidence, belonging, community and health. It’s a pathway to lifelong wellbeing. And when we invest in girls now, we’re investing in stronger women, stronger communities and a stronger society.
This International Women’s Day, I’m committing to using my voice, my experience and my energy to open more doors for women and girls. Becoming a trustee allows me to play a small but powerful part in creating a future where opportunity isn’t dependent on gender, background, or income. Because the next generation of girls deserves more. And together, we can help build it.
Published: March 2026
