Our Ambassadors

My name is Joel Fearon—a devoted husband and proud father of Four wonderful children. As a professional athlete active in both summer and winter sports, I have earned a reputation as one of the fastest hundred-meter sprinters in British history and one of the few athletes to bring home a Winter Olympic medal. I am also proud to be the world’s only sub-ten-second sprinter to compete in a Winter Olympics. However, at my core, I am simply a man who, as a young boy, cherished a passion for sports and dreamed of sprinting among the greats. I firmly believe that a strong and healthy mindset, combined with a willing heart, makes all things possible. Every success I’ve achieved has not only fueled my journey as an athlete but has also empowered me to uplift and strengthen others. Among my many passions, there is nothing more fulfilling than inspiring people from all walks of life, reminding them that while our starting points may differ, we have the power to determine our own endings.

Luther Burrell a dynamic and inspiring public speaker known for his ability to captivate audiences with his engaging presence and powerful message. With a background in Elite sports at the highest-level representing club and country, Luther brings a unique perspective on leadership, teamwork, culture, and overcoming challenges. As a former professional athlete turned professional speaker, Luther draws from his experiences on and off the field to inspire individuals to reach their full potential. His passion for Diversity Equity & Inclusion, personal development and resilience shines through in his captivating talks, where he shares practical insights, personal experiences and strategies for success.

Yemi is a division 1 track and field student-athlete at the University of Southern California studying economics. Having lived in the UK, Italy, and the USA, Yemi is experienced in navigating diverse cultures and international landscapes. With aims of making this year’s 2024 Paris Olympics, Yemi takes pride in having represented the UK where she became world U20 champion in 400M in 2022 and European U23 400M champion in 2023 and Bronze and Silver relay medallist in the World Championships this past summer.

Hi, I’m Qasim Sheikh, a Scottish-born Pakistani from Glasgow. My cricket journey began at age five during a family trip to Pakistan, inspired by my uncle, who played at a high level. Back home, I was eager to play, and at six, I joined Clydesdale Cricket Club. My mum proudly introduced me as, “This is my son Qasim, he sleeps with his bat.” I progressed through Scotland’s youth teams, playing in the U19 World Cup at 16. At 17, I signed with MCC Young Cricketers, moving to London with Lords as my workplace—a special moment. Soon after, I debuted for Scotland, scoring centuries against Ireland and Kenya and competing in the 2007 T20 World Cup. I traveled extensively, training in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and Pakistan to improve my game and experience different cultures. However, in my mid-to-late 20s, I was dropped from the Scotland team and never selected again. I spoke up but was sidelined. Years later, I blew the whistle on what I felt was institutional racism, and in 2022, Cricket Scotland was deemed institutionally racist. I hoped for change, but instead, I faced abuse and targeting. Despite this, my passion remains—to create equal opportunities in sport, regardless of background. Beyond playing, I launched Sheikhy’s Podcast, where I interview sports stars and discuss mental health, a cause close to me. I also commentate, including for BBC during the T20 World Cup. This journey has led me to Sporting Equals, where I’m honored to be their first Scottish Ambassador. Equality, diversity, and inclusion should be at the heart of sport, and I’m excited to contribute to this mission.

Steve Frew won Scotland’s First Gymnastics Commonwealth Games Gold Medal. Steve dedicated 22 years of-belief in this vision, and with the perseverance, commitment, and determination required, he worked towards this goal. At the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England, Steve fulfilled his childhood dream of creating sporting history for his country. A glittering sporting career, and as an International Gymnast, Steve represented Great-Britain at 2 World Gymnastics Championships, and Scotland at 5 Commonwealth Games. A sporting ambassador, with a World-Class pedigree , Steve has collected a wealth of wisdom, knowledge and the lived experience of travelling to many countries around the world. A media highlight for Steve was Gymnastics-commentating at the London 2012 Olympic Games. As a highly esteemed Athlete in Scotland, Uk Steve was selected for ambassador duties for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, and as the ‘Athletes Village Chieftain’ he welcomed delegations from the 74 nations and territories arriving into Scotland for the Games. In 2006, Steve was also part of the Glasgow 2014 Bid Team, travelling to the Caribbean, presenting the Glasgow 2014 Games Bid, and also to Colombo – Sri-Lanka with the First – Minister of Scotland, successfully securing the Commonwealth -Games for Glasgow 2014.

Vanessa Wallace PLY is a two time GB Paralympian, European gold and silver medallist, and the British record holder in F34 Seated Shot Put, Discus and Javelin. An inaugural member of the British Athletics Athlete Commission since 2017, Vanessa is also a mature undergraduate student and Women’s Sports Trust “Unlocked” Programme Alumni. Vanessa uses her lived experiences to inspire and motivate both within and outside the realms of sport. She is passionate about turning up the volume around finding solutions to inequalities relating to disability, diversity and inclusion.

Rachel Choong is a GB Para Badminton player who competes in the SH6 (short stature) classification in women’s singles, and mixed doubles with Jack Shephard. In her hometown of Liverpool aged 6, she began playing badminton and instantly fell in love with the sport. It wasn’t until 2007, aged 13, she was introduced to para badminton and has since gone on to win 10 World titles and 10 European titles across three events. Despite para badminton making its Paralympic debut in Tokyo 2020, Rachel’s events were not included and therefore she was unable to compete. In April 2022, Rachel was invited to join the GB Para Badminton set up in Sheffield after SH6 women’s singles and mixed doubles were included in the Paris 2024 Paralympic programme. Since joining the GB team, she has medalled in many tournaments but significantly, won the European Para Games 2023 mixed doubles with Jack, and has recently qualified for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games in women’s singles and mixed doubles.

Christine Ohuruogu is a British former Track and Field athlete and competed over 400m. During her 15 year career she held Olympic, World, Commonwealth and European titles. Christine won 400m gold at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing a year after becoming world champion in Osaka before taking silver at London 2012 and regaining her world title in Moscow in 2013. It was also in Moscow where Christine set the UK 400m record with a personal best time of 49.41 making her the first British woman to win two World Championship titles and the first British woman to win three global titles. In 2016 Christine claimed her final Olympic medal in the 4x400m relay to make her the most decorated female athlete in British history. Off track, Christine obtained a degree in law and is actively involved in sports arbitration including holding a sports legal advisory role. Christine uses her elite sporting experience for high performance consulting, sitting on numerous boards and mentoring athletes. More recently, Christine became a Visiting Fellow for the University of East London and launched book club Track Changes to encourage reading and literacy at all levels. I retired from Athletics as a 4-time Olympian with an Olympic Gold, Silver, and 2 Bronze medals; I was World Champion twice and secured a medal at every World Championship I participated in, a statistic met by only 3 athletes in the world ever. With Commonwealth gold and bronze medals, and a host of Indoor medals I had become one of the most decorated female athletes in Britain.

Emmanuel developed a passion for sport from an early age. It allowed him to be resilient and equipped him with the tools he needed to overcome challenges in life. In 2022, Emmanuel became the Commonwealth Games T47 100M champion. Since then, he has been working towards making his Paralympics debut as well as working in schools, educating children on the importance of sport not just for professional athletes but the role it plays in our everyday lives. In 2023 he was awarded UK Sport Rising Star at The Sporting Equals Awards.

Inder Singh Bassi is a 27-year-old professional boxer. Currently the Southern area Welterweight champion with twelve fights as a professional (11 wins and 2 Kos). As an amateur, Inder was a 5-time London champion and 3-time national finalist. He represented the London team on numerous occasions, boxing all over Europe. He had around seventy-five amateur fights. Alongside his boxing, he coaches at the two local Gurdwaras every week, and they have a stable of around fifty boys and girls. Some of whom have gone onto compete in national championships in boxing and boxed abroad as amateurs.

Hannah is a Peloton Cycling and Tread Instructor and teaches from Peloton Studios London. Prior to Peloton, Hannah was a former competitive triple jumper, who trained alongside Olympic level athletes for seven years. After she finished competing, Hannah discovered indoor cycling, combining her passion for fitness with music and making exercise fun. Hannah is also an experienced Personal Trainer and Fitness Model.

Jermaine is a Peloton Instructor and teaches tread, strength and boxing classes from Peloton Studios London. Over the course of his career, Jermaine has worked as a professional dancer as well as a strength and conditioning coach at a number of London boutique gyms. Jermaine’s natural warmth coupled with his unparalleled experience within the fitness industry helps people step out of their comfort zone and hustle hard, whilst also growing in confidence.

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. Zoiey’s work has been featured by BBC, NBC, Sky, and publications like HuffPost, Glamour and Grazia, who crowned her as an influential Black women. Now, she’s building a gender-neutral fashion brand for athletes, designed to celebrate identity and individuality off the field. Her message is simple: “If you can’t see it, be it.”

As the founder of Imaan Active, a UK-based modest activewear brand, I am passionate about making sport and movement more inclusive for women of all backgrounds. My journey began with a desire to break barriers in the fitness industry and create space for representation, particularly for Muslim women. Through my work, I’ve championed diversity, inclusivity, and cultural awareness in sport, ensuring that every woman feels seen, supported, and empowered to take up space — whether in the gym, on the field, or in her own community. As a Sporting Equals Ambassador, I’m committed to amplifying underrepresented voices, challenging stereotypes, and helping build a future where sport truly belongs to everyone.

Hi I’m Didi Okoh, a Paralympic Bronze medalist in the T63 100m from the recent 2024 games! I was an able-bodied athlete up until 2 years ago, when I came to realise that there was still an avenue to continue my competitive nature for sport with a disability. I also do talks about my journey through sport, and the battles I have been persevering through to get to where I am now. I am so excited to become an ambassador for Sporting equals, and help promote their ethos of race equality throughout sport, as well as in the para-sport world! 

Vicki is a dynamic defender, most at home at GD, known for her speed, vertical jump, and game smarts. Debuting for the English Roses in 2017, she returned in 2023 after injury setbacks, featuring in Fast5 and the Taini Jamison Series. With 9 caps, she’s eager to grow at the top level. Signed with London Mavericks in 2025, her season was cut short by an ACL injury. Off-court, Vicki is a Data Analyst, passionate coach, avid traveller, and advocate for Human Rights and Equality—bringing energy, resilience, and leadership to everything she does.

Hi I’m Kyle Kothari, a 10m Platform diver from Harrow, London on my journey to LA 2028. My journey in diving has been filled with career ending injuries but also some great highs. Achieving European gold medals in both the Mixed and Men’s 10m Synchro events in 2022, Commonwealth Games Silver and finally representing Great Britain in the 10m platform final at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Beyond my athletic accomplishments, I’m passionate about fostering diversity in aquatic sports. Recognizing the underrepresentation in swimming and diving, I hope my presence at the highest levels can inspire others.

I’m proud to be joining Sporting Equals as an ambassador. While I’m still learning and building knowledge in this space, I’m passionate about equity in sport and brave enough to admit I don’t have all the answers – yet. As an athlete, I’ve been fortunate with what sport has given me: confidence, opportunity, and values I’ll carry for life. I’m excited to bring lived experience to the conversation from the other side of the fence. Whether at grassroots or on the world stage, sport connects us – and I believe everyone deserves the chance to find their place in it.

Lucindha Lawson is a Deaf athlete who represents Maidenhead United Futsal Club and the England Women’s Deaf Futsal Team. Most recently, she competed at the World Deaf Futsal Championship 2025 in Italy, where England reached the top five on the world stage. Playing as a pivot, she brings leadership, passion and determination to the court. Beyond her sporting achievements, Lucindha embraces her identity as Deaf, a woman and South Asian, three groups often underrepresented in sport. She is passionate about breaking barriers and inspiring others. As a Sporting Equals Ambassador, she champions equality, inclusion and representation for all.

Simran Hayer has spent over 18 years immersed in sport, beginning on the football pitch before expanding her impact behind the scenes and in front of the camera. For the past decade, she has built a dynamic career in sports media and production, combining firsthand playing experience with a passion for storytelling and representation. Simran has contributed to major broadcasts, led creative projects, and championed diverse voices within the industry. Her deep understanding of sport, both technically and emotionally, allows her to connect with audiences authentically. She continues to shape conversations and narratives that move the sport industry forward.

Shanara Hibbert is a Careers, Wellbeing and Executive Coach, founder of Shanara Coaching, four-time National Triple Jump medallist, and a TEDx and keynote speaker. She is passionate about helping people achieve more than they believe they can, both in and outside of their careers, while protecting their wellbeing. With extensive leadership experience across sectors, Shanara specialises in wellbeing, inclusion and career success. Drawing on professional expertise and personal experience of managing mental and physical health, including recovery from major injury and surgery, Shanara works with leaders and change-makers via one-to-one coaching, bespoke talks, workshops and consultancy.

Nicole, better known as Shooting Girl With an Afro, is an author, presenter, hunter and conservation advocate who is passionate about making the countryside more welcoming and accessible to everyone. Through her writing, public speaking and digital content, she shares an honest and engaging view of ethical hunting, wildlife conservation and sustainable food, while challenging perceptions about who belongs in rural spaces. As one of the few Black women with a public profile in the UK shooting and conservation community, Nicole is committed to encouraging more people from underrepresented backgrounds to discover the confidence, wellbeing and sense of belonging that the countryside can offer. Alongside publishing her first book, “Shooting Girl With an Afro: Memoir of a Black British Huntress”, Nicole works with organisations including HikMicro, the Countryside Alliance, The Game Fair, Fiocchi, Jack Pyke and The National Forest Trust. She regularly appears at countryside events, delivers talks and live demonstrations, and is developing opportunities in television and film alongside her work as a writer. Whether introducing complete beginners to hunting or speaking about conservation, diversity and rural life, her aim is always to make the countryside feel less intimidating and more inclusive. As a Sporting Equals Ambassador, Nicole hopes to inspire people from all communities to step outside their comfort zone, connect with nature and discover opportunities they may never have imagined. She believes that representation matters, and that by opening doors, sharing knowledge and celebrating different experiences, we can build a countryside where everyone feels they have a place.