Joining the advisory group that helps BE take a stronger approach to tackling discrimination and promoting fairness and respect across basketball are Virgin Money's Senior Strategic EDI Specialist Chris Jones, charity advisor Louise W and Pride In Touch Co-Founder Tom Hall.
The committee, which was sanctioned by the BE Board of Directors in December 2021, features a broad representation of inspirational and skilled individuals from across the game and society to tackle some of the challenges and make the improvements required.
"We would like to give a warm welcome to our new recruits," said BE's EDI Chair and Board Member Brandie Deignan (pictured below).
"Our talented trio will join the rest of our supportive committee members to continue to shape the work and direction of BE's EDI work, especially at a crucial time where BE's next four-year strategy is being finalised - at the heart of which is a ethos that basketball is for all. Together we can help turn that belief into a reality.
"This year, our 12-person committee will undoubtedly have a big impact on policy but also supporting BE to showcase people in our community who are working tirelessly to grow the game of basketball. We must continue to push the sport into more spaces and conversations across the sport and physical activity industry."
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To have the opportunity to contribute to the development and evolvement of basketball in England becoming more accessible and inclusive to all.
A fresh and innovative approach to how we can work together to remove barriers and to make basketball more accessible to all within England, regardless of individual circumstances or background.
To be part of a team creating and seeing continual, tangible, positive change.
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I’m passionate about the game, its impact on communities and the potential for it to be one of the most inclusive sports in England and globally. I’m excited to be a part of that.
I’m hoping my experience from other EDI sporting committees and founding a sports inclusion non-profit organisation will help bring fresh learnings and perspectives on making basketball even more inclusive. I also love working at a community level and seeing sport literally change lives, which for me is what it’s all about, so that’s definitely something I’d like to help support.
Ultimately, I’d like to leave the game in a better place. As someone who has experienced the benefits of team sport from the grassroots right up to representative level, I’d like to help make that a viable option for others from underrepresented groups.
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This is such an interesting area and I wanted to understand the practical workings of EDI. It will also be a fabulous opportunity to work with like-minded people, learn from others and help apply this work in a real, tangible way. Overall, helping to contribute to the next stage of the EDI journey at BE.
BE already has a strong commitment to EDI in its policies and voice. But every organisation can learn and continue to develop, and I hope to offer an outside perspective. I have a natural skillset that includes attention to detail, thinking outside the box, planning and organising, tenacity, and I enjoy research. I also have a wealth of lived experiences based on both life and protected characteristics, leading to an empathetic and compassionate mindset. I’m hoping these skills will prove useful.
I have a real sense of everyone belonging and feeling valued for who they are and what they bring because everyone has something to offer. I hope, being part of the committee, allows me to play a part in building on BE’s continued journey. EDI is vital for all organisations, but sport has the ability to reach and influence large numbers and I’m excited to be a part of that. I love rugby and cricket, but I also have a lot to learn about basketball too which will come with time.
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I joined the EDI committee as I felt it was somewhere I could add a lot of value. It’s something I’m passionate about and would like to listen to the members on their experiences and put steps in place to ensure everyone is getting the positive experiences they deserve.
I hope to bring a new perspective and diversity of thoughts and experiences.
My network allows me to reach out to members and discuss how their experiences affected how they participate and how they feel about basketball. It also helps me understand from a member perspective how as a governing body we can be more inclusive.
I have worked alongside BE to help improve equality and diversity policies, reviewed complaints and discussed cases of discrimination, helped develop a curriculum, took part in campaigns for promotion and education of others using my own experiences and advised the governing body on next steps to take.
To be able to provide clear processes so concerns can be raised quickly and easily. To put tools in place to ensure all members within BE are up to date and educated on equality, diversity and inclusion and how they can improve it within their clubs.
To help try and create a sport where everyone feels welcome, respected and included. People can walk into any club/ event anywhere and feel safe from discrimination or an -ism of any kind.
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I believe that basketball can be a powerful force for inclusivity and community-building. I’m passionate about ensuring that people from all backgrounds feel welcome and empowered in our sport.
I want to contribute my experience in organisational leadership and grassroots development to help shape initiatives that not only broaden participation but also foster a culture of mutual respect and equal opportunity.
My goal is to support meaningful, measurable EDI outcomes across all levels of basketball—creating pathways for everyone to reach their full potential while feeling heard and valued.
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My passion for the game started when I was 14, but I had to play in a women’s league, as there were not the opportunities to play girls basketball in Yorkshire at that time. Sadly, 20 years later having recently gone back to South London for a couple of years, I saw similar aged girls having to play at scrimmage sessions for women, due to the lack of opportunities, awareness, support or funds. I would like be part of a committee that drives change so that your background or where you live does not matter. It is imperative to raise awareness that basketball is accessible to all and that everyone has an opportunity to play no matter your age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion, sex and sexual orientation.
With 11 years of experience with Sheffield Hatters Basketball Club, including as a Trustee, I have direct and relevant knowledge and understanding of the sport, from the perspective of a volunteer through to management.
This knowledge will help support my input into supporting this infrastructure to make positive changes around equality, diversity and inclusion, whilst recognising the challenges in terms of resources. I feel there are some quick wins, along with best practise and communication that could help achieve this. Whilst we continue to implement changes that will impact the game moving forward.
I am somebody that presents solutions, takes action and offers support.
I would love the opportunity to be part of a team that can make a real impact and change for a sport that I have cherished since childhood, whilst breaking down barriers that clubs and BE face.
I believe BE should look to be innovative; advocate best practice, and drive change to achieve the core purpose and objectives on a national through to local level.
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I am a passionate and dedicated advocate for improving access to sport for underrepresented groups with more than ten years’ experience of working in delivery, administrative and governance roles to increase equality, diversity and inclusion within basketball in particular.
I want to tackle the challenges that exist for minority and socially excluded groups in accessing our game and an understanding of how we can remove these barriers to improve social inclusion and increase access to all of the opportunities that our game offers.
As a lifelong fan and participant of basketball, I have extensive experience at almost every level of both the men’s and women’s game, including roles as a player, NBL, WBBL and national team women’s coach, qualified official and administrator.
This journey has so far provided me with a strong ability to understand, relate to and communicate with people from lots of different backgrounds and experiences in every part of our basketball community and build positive and fruitful relationships with stakeholders.
I believe I can utilise my skills and share my experiences and resources with the rest of my colleagues to help tackle discrimination and promote a fairer, more respectful game for all.
Ultimately to be an advocate for, and driving improvements in, equality, diversity, and inclusion within basketball.
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When I learned about the formation of the EDI committee, I knew I had to contribute. I've been involved in equality and diversity projects in a number of organisations and the opportunity to help apply what I've learnt to the sport I love is one I couldn't pass up.
I hope to build on the unique and different perspectives already on the committee. With such a successful and driven team already in place, I’m excited to contribute to the evolution of the sport.
As a long-standing basketball player and queer black man, I am confident I can bring a different voice to the group and make my contribution count.
My goal is to help the committee further it’s good work in the EDI space to reach and inspire more people within basketball. Every sport has its challenges, and working together, we can help create a more welcoming and diverse sport which has helped me immensely on my journey.
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I want to work with a progressive and forward thinking national governing body, who authentically want to pursue positive action, inclusive dialogue, and meaningful change.
As a result of my diverse and broad background, I hope to bring a global lens on the industry, experience from a range of sports, an understanding of how to drive organisational change, and a solid grasp of purposeful academic research to the committee.
I look forward to working with a group of likeminded people who share a passion for equality, diversity, and inclusion to review present policies and procedures, and effectively collaborate to launch impactful initiatives and build BE's long-term strategy.
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Throughout my career I have always been drawn to roles where I feel that my knowledge and skill-set can make a positive difference in people’s lives. This is what drives me from day-to-day and in my career pathway. Over the course of my working life this has led to me working with at-risk individuals in some of the most deprived areas of the country. When it comes to equality, diversity and inclusion, I know how important focusing on these areas is to increase opportunities for underrepresented groups.
I have a great knowledge of disability sport, more recently this has focused on basketball. I understand the barriers to sports participation that people with a disability can face, this was pretty much the title of my dissertation. I understand the sports pathways for people with a disability in basketball.
I have seen every positive and every negative that basketball has to offer. I have seen it from the perspective of a British Basketball League team to a team entering Division 4 of the National Basketball League for the first time. I have also worked for different clubs at different levels of the club structure. I feel that this experience is vital for working in sport in this country, as I can understand the pathways, from participation through to competition.
I want to help BE make positive changes in areas of the game that need it the most. I would want to continue to help grow and develop sporting opportunities to make a positive change in people’s lives.
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I have been part of the basketball community since a very young age, and part of the BE community for nearly 12 years. EDI is integral to sport and I want to make sure that policies and processes are designed to level the playing field for marginalised groups.
Having worked in professional sports for nearly a decade, I have seen the ins and outs of how sporting organisations work and what can be done behind the scenes. I want to make sure we are taking firm stances against all forms of oppression and increasing our understanding of intersectionality. My focus will be on education and engagement of communities rather than shaming and blaming when mistakes are made, to make sure that the basketball community in England becomes as united as possible, and we can be strong allies for all marginalised groups.
I want to make sure that the existing make-up of the on-court basketball community is represented at all levels within the sport, from coaches, to general managers and board members so when decisions are being taken, diverse opinions, backgrounds and lived experiences can be taken into consideration.
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