The most exciting cohort yet for LeaderBoard 2023/24
The 2023/24 cohort of LeaderBoard in partnership with the University of Leicester begins on 28 November.
This year’s cohort has an incredible array of talent including past and present athletes, from sports including Rugby, netball and wheelchair basketball. LeaderBoard was founded in 2017 and supports ethnically diverse professionals in becoming Board ready.
Through a mix of lectures, seminars, interactive visits and online support the cohort are empowered to lead at Board level regionally and nationally. Through LeaderBoard the cohort are also introduced to National Governing Bodies networking events to help facilitate their pathway to Board level roles
The programme takes place across three days at the University (Leicester), with supporting work done at the convenience of the candidates in their own time. The programme has been embraced by the sport sector and a variety of networking events provide the candidates with quality time to meet senior leaders in national governing bodies.
On average one third of graduates take a board level role in sport within six months of completing the course. They also support one another as a network of peers, changing the face of sport.
Luther Burrel is an international rugby union star. Towards the end of his career at Newcastle Falcons, Burrell displayed immense bravery by speaking out against instances of racism he had experienced at the club. His actions prompted an inquiry where his claims were validated, shedding light on the issue of racism within the club. H has continued to be an advocate and campaigner for race equality ever since.
Ayaz Bhuta MBE is a Paralympic and double European champion in Wheelchair Rugby. He has also competed in Wheelchair Basketball. He is a founding member of British Asians for Sporting Excellence and was awarded an MBE in 2022 for his services to Wheelchair Rugby.
Ziana Butt BEM is the first woman of Pakistani heritage to represent England in senior international netball. She co-authored a book that encourages ethnically diverse young girls to take up sport. In 2023 she won the London Sport Volunteer of the Year Award, she also won the England Netball Young Volunteer of the Year Award. In October she was a finalist for the UK Sport Rising Star Award at the Sporting Equals Awards.
Alton Brown is a former World and European champion in Karate, as well as a Commonwealth Games medalist. He was a senior leader during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and is Director of Programmes at The Kids Network.
Zheng-Phoon Alan Lau is the founder of the Frank Soo Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that promotes East and South East Asian participation in football. This promotes the legacy of Frank Soo, England’s first non-White international mens footballer. Zheng-Phoon is an FA Community Champion and in November 2023 was inducted in to the Stoke City FC Hall of Fame.
Kelly Smith is the founder of Black Tri Tribe, the first club aimed specifically at getting more people of Black heritage to take part in triathlon. In 2023 Black Tri Tribe delivered their first triathlon event. The club delivers swimming lessons, addressing an inequality in Black communities when it comes to swimming.
Harleen Kaur is a former world championship silver medalist Kickboxer and founder of Club Ekta, one of the fastest growing and most popular Associate Member clubs in the Sporting Equals network.