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Equity in Action

Equity in Action

Written by: Sporting Equals
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About this listen

 Everyone deserves a place in sports. Addressing racism in athletics requires a top-down approach; associations, communities, and families must work together to reshape the racial narrative within physical activity and create fair, equitable, and welcoming environments for all. Teaching children to fail, collaborate, and play is critical to their development, yet generational and systemic stigma can stand in the way. Equity in Action explores the many facets of racial inequality and how they can be addressed to foster fairness within the sporting industry. Hosted by Zoiey Smale, Disability, Access, and Inclusion Consultant and Sports Presenter, the series features conversations with leaders across the sporting sector, including parents, innovators, and professional athletes, reflecting on how to champion equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in sport. From Tuesday 27th January 2026, you can hear inspiring stories from across the United Kingdom and gain practical insight into how to foster more inclusive, supportive sporting environments within your own community. New episodes are released bi-weekly on Tuesdays. You’ll hear from voices such as: Didi Okoh, British Paralympian and bronze medallist in the T63 100m at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Khadija Patel, founder of Krimmz Girls Youth Club, an inclusive space empowering young woman, girls, and their families through sport, leadership, and personal development. Azi Mohammed, Trustee for the Mayor’s Fund of London and Chief Operating Officer of Salaam Peace, a community-led organisation in East London delivering sports and education programmes to drive positive change. Inder Singh Bassi, five-time London champion and three-time national finalist in boxing, and youth boxing coach. --- About the Host: Zoiey ‘The Mindful Maverick’ Smale is a motivational educator, storyteller and inclusion advocate with over 20 years of experience in sport and leadership. Her career has taken her from athlete, official and coach to working with major global brands and organisations like NASA, Mercedes F1, Spotify, and Sport England, helping them create more inclusive and equitable spaces. Recognised by leaders like Theo Paphitis and Jacqueline Gold CBE, Zoiey has led award-winning initiatives to keep girls in sport and challenge outdated standards in both the sport and fashion industries. She made history as the first Black woman to win over six national titles, including Miss United Kingdom and Ms GB World, using her platform to drive the body positivity movement and push for better representation across media and brands like Victoria’s Secret and Decathlon. --- If you enjoy podcasts like The Rest is Football, The Lead, and Code Switch, you’ll enjoy hearing the stories of resilience and innovation within the sporting industry found in Equity in Action.
Episodes
  • Breaking the Mould: Trailblazers challenging expectations

    Breaking the Mould: Trailblazers challenging expectations
    Feb 24 2026
    Faith, culture, and race can shape not only how athletes are perceived but also whether they are allowed to compete at all. In British boxing, a long-standing beard ban once excluded Sikh athletes outright. Its eventual removal became a turning point for Sikh participation and a powerful example of how sport can either reinforce exclusion or embrace change. In this episode of Equity in Action, host Zoiey Smale, Disability, Access, and Inclusion Consultant and Sports Presenter, sits down with professional boxer Inder Bassi to unpack his journey as a Sikh athlete navigating tradition, identity, and professional sport. A third-generation boxer following in the footsteps of his grandfather, father, and uncle, Inder has become a prominent voice for inclusion in British boxing, both inside and outside the ring. Zoiey and Inder explore: How faith has grounded him through setbacks and the pressure of being a role model within his community The impact of racism and stereotyping on his path to becoming a professional boxer Practical ways athletes, organisations, and community leaders can champion inclusion, even though changes that may seem small but carry enormous weight The importance of education and mindset in combating exclusion. --- 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.
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    29 mins
  • The Next Generation: Youth Activism and New Leadership

    The Next Generation: Youth Activism and New Leadership
    Feb 10 2026
    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.
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    38 mins
  • It Takes a Village: Mentors, coaches, and community as second family

    It Takes a Village: Mentors, coaches, and community as second family
    Jan 27 2026
    Faith, culture, and identity are essential to building truly inclusive sport. Too often, hard-to-reach communities are overlooked, limiting access and opportunity. By creating safe, culturally responsive spaces for women, girls, families, and elders, spaces that welcome everyone regardless of faith or background, grassroots organisations can foster meaningful growth and inclusion on a wider scale. Host Zoiey Smale, Disability, Access, and Inclusion Consultant and Sports Presenter, is joined by Khadija Patel, founder of Krimmz Youth Club, and Shiv Krishan, Cricket Coach and key figure within the Bradford Hindu Council. Together, they explore why representation-led spaces empower marginalised communities by encouraging freedom of expression, confidence, and personal growth. Both Khadija and Shiv share that their experiences, marked by a lack of leadership and by spaces led by people who resembled them, motivated them to create change. In this episode of Equity in Action, Zoiey and her guests discuss: What’s been missing in sport: A lack of culturally aware, faith-responsive provision and visible role models from within the community, particularly women and ethnically diverse coaches. The impact of COVID-19 on inclusivity: How pioneering online activity groups provided vital physical outlets while fostering connection and positivity. Making sport more accessible: Strategies such as family-wide participation, flexible payment options, and community partnerships that help remove barriers to entry. --- 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.
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    43 mins
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