The GM Moving Conference 2025 was a celebration of movement, inclusion, and the people powering real change across Greater Manchester. Sporting Equals was proud to attend and witness first-hand the impactful voices shaping the future of sport and physical activity in the region — especially our Associate Members, Krimmz Girls Youth Club.
Standing Ovation for Krimmz Girls’ Khadija Patel
One of the standout moments of the day came during the panel session “Unlocking sport’s potential: tackling inequalities and growing participation.” We were thrilled to see Khadija Patel, founder of Krimmz Girls, speaking passionately about the unique challenges faced by Muslim women in accessing sport and community spaces.
Sitting alongside Pritesh Patel, Shannon Howarth, and Finn Grice — and with brilliant facilitation by Holly Grimes and Sally Carr — Khadija brought the voices of underrepresented communities to the forefront. She spoke with honesty and clarity about the need for cultural sensitivity, representation, and safe spaces in sport.
Reflecting on the event, Khadija shared on LinkedIn:
“I focused on the specific barriers Muslim women face when it comes to accessing physical activity and community spaces — from cultural sensitivity to representation and safe spaces.”
Her key message was one that resonated throughout the day:
“We need to listen more to those working at grassroots level. They know their communities best, and lasting change starts with understanding their lived experiences.”
It was a proud moment for Sporting Equals to witness the leadership and advocacy of one of our Associate Members on such an influential platform.
Championing Creativity and Connection
The day was filled with moments of inspiration, including an incredible on-stage performance from Jet Black, also part of the Sporting Equals Associate Members network. Their performance electrified the room and reminded everyone of the powerful intersection between creativity, identity, and movement.
We were also delighted to be interviewed by BCOMS (The Black Collective of Media in Sport) — an opportunity to highlight our ongoing work and connect with others dedicated to inclusion in sport.
It was also great to see Umar, Equalities Lead for GM Moving and a former member of the Sporting Equals team, playing a key role in shaping the event and continuing to champion equity and diversity across Greater Manchester.
A Movement Fueled by Community
As we left the conference, the takeaway was clear: real progress in tackling inequalities starts at the grassroots. Sporting Equals is proud to support and elevate the work of Krimmz Girls Youth Club and all our Associate Members who continue to lead change from the ground up.
A heartfelt thank you to Hayley Lever and the team at GM Moving for curating a powerful, purposeful event — one that brought together voices that matter and ideas that can shape the future of sport for all.
