OUR TEAM
Our team of energetic volunteers at Raising Her Game are a community of leaders passionate about women's sport, diversity and inclusion! Together we are working to change women's sport, from the grassroots to the elite level.
Our mission is to empower youth through sport, and to improve diversity and representation in women's sport. Raising Her Game has a fantastic team of ambassadors ranging from Olympians to women's rights activists. Keep scrolling to learn more.
As a newly formed charity, we are looking to grow our team to help maximise our work and positively impact as many young people as possible. If you are interested in joining, please enquire.
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Darcy is a professional athlete, understanding the benefits of sports from the grassroots up to the elite level. As the only woman of colour in her England, Great Britain and club teams, she lives the reality of being a minority in sport. Appreciative of the benefits sport has brought her, from accessing top education to representing her country such as at the World Cup, she uses her platform as an athlete, an activist, and a role model to help create positive change in sport and beyond, so that more people can experience the joys of sport.
Her work in equality, diversity and inclusion began in 2020, after a photograph taken of her at a Black Lives Matter Protest, holding a sign asking “Why Is Ending Racism a Debate?”, was shared virally by the likes of Martin Luther King III, David Beckham and Dina Asher-Smith. That summer she pledged to use the power of that moment to positively impact those around her. She has continued to do this through charity work; speaking on podcasts, radio and TV; visiting schools; and sitting on the boards of sporting organisations, such as Sporting Equals and EuroHockey.
While studying at Duke University in the States, Darcy co-founded the non-profit, Beyond Our Game, which unites and empowers young people from ethnic minorities through sports. Since returning to the UK to pursue her professional hockey career playing for England and GB, she has been working to serve her local communities whilst finishing her Sociology degree at Nottingham University. Beyond Our Game was the inspiration for creating Raising Her Game - to empower young girls through sport by increasing diversity and reducing inequalities.
Charlotte huckeR
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Raised in the north of England and educated at state school, Charlotte has seen and experienced first-hand the very many positive effects that sport can have, including in bridging class divides and in bringing together communities. Charlotte is committed to addressing barriers to girls’ participation in sport, and wants all girls, irrespective of their background, to have the opportunity to take part, to grow and to develop a lifelong love of sport.
As a hockey player, Charlotte represented Derbyshire at junior level (with Joan, the RHG Treasurer!) and at senior indoor level, and her University, and has played for numerous London clubs. Charlotte is a qualified hockey coach, and coached for 12 years for Spencer Juniors, where she was also a member of the Junior Hockey Committee. She also enjoys playing tennis, and is a keen LFC fan.
In 2019, recognising the lack of diversity at Spencer Hockey Club, and that it did not reflect the local community, Charlotte co-founded the award-winning charity Spencer Lynx, which runs a free hockey club for under-served inner-city children, allowing children to experience the joys of sport while developing essential life skills. Through Lynx, Charlotte continues to learn about the benefits of sport, and the challenges that many in the community face to take the very first step to become involved in sport, and then to stay involved.
Charlotte is excited about the unique opportunity offered by Raising Her Game to make a real and positive impact on girls’, and ultimately women’s, sport.
JOAN LEWIS
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Joan is a qualified accountant with 25+ years’ experience working in blue chip companies, mainly in telecommunications and currently in the banking industry. Joan is the Raising Her Game Treasurer.
Joan played hockey for England U18, U21 and at Senior level, indoor and outdoor, and for Great Britain, but was forced to retire due to a serious knee injury at 24 years old.
Sport has always been an important part of Joan’s life, and she considers herself fortunate to have had the opportunity to play a multitude of sports through schools and social clubs.
She sees participation in team sport, at any level, as an essential part of physical and emotional growth, and recognises the difficulties facing girls from some communities to participate. She is committed to changing this.
Through Raising Her Game, Joan is confident that all girls will get an opportunity to experience all the fun, personal challenge and emotions that sport brings, and for that reason Joan is delighted to be on the RHG Team.
ALICE DURRANS
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Alice is a passionate believer in sport teaching lifelong skills which are fundamental to personal and professional progression, and its ability to be an equaliser where everyone can flourish regardless of their differences. A member of sports clubs since the age of 6, Alice is all too aware of the challenges and disparities that exist in sports – in terms of access, resources, and representation – and is committed to changing this.
An enthusiastic all-round sportswoman, Alice spent her school years playing netball, hockey, tennis, and swimming before representing her university at hockey. More recently, Alice was the first female Chair at Spencer, one of South London’s largest National League hockey clubs and an England Hockey Talent Centre and continues to play there. When she isn’t playing sport, she’ll be cheering on a whole mix of teams including Crystal Palace football, London Lions basketball and Harlequins rugby.
In her professional life, Alice is a strategy consultant working with businesses across industries to plan for the needs of tomorrow. She previously worked for a global food and beverage brand in their strategy and sustainability teams and is a trained journalist. She is hoping to bring her strategic and communications skills to bear through supporting RHG in developing its long-term plan and goals, ensuring its continued success and growth.
OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
DARCY BOURNE
RACHEL CAMPBELL
RASHAN MCDONALD
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First and foremost, Rachel is a mum to Isla and Nate and wife to Rory with whom she runs her own consultancy business. Community and volunteering are extremely important to her – she’s also a Trustee of her local Samaritans branch and Vice Club Captain, Girls’ Development Lead and coach at Blueharts Hockey Club in her hometown of Hitchin.
She loves sport and the outdoors, and plays hockey with a passion, having come back to the sport after a 24 year break when her daughter picked up a stick. An interest in girls’ opportunity, confidence and participation in sport grew as her daughter progressed through to National Age Groups, one of only 2 kids of colour in her squad.
Rachel is determined to be part of a movement to make a difference to those girls who have less opportunity and believes that the Raising Her Game team are brilliantly positioned to drive real change.
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With over a decade of experience in sports and football development, Rashan has dedicated his career to using the power of sport to inspire young people and guide them towards a brighter future.
Rashan holds a degree in Sports, Health, and Exercise Sciences (Human Performance Pathway) from Brunel University London, equipping him with expertise in communication, strategic initiatives, sport coaching and team management.
Rashan’s sporting journey includes roles at Street League, and as a youth panel member at ENGSO (European Organisation for Grassroot Sports), London FA Youth Council and at the Sports and Recreation Alliance. At Palace For Life Foundation, Rashan progressed from Senior Community Development Coordinator to Targeted Intervention Manager, and is currently as Area Manager at StreetGames, focussing on supporting locally trusted organisations in London and the South East.
Rashan is passionate about fostering volunteer growth within charities and sports projects, helping grassroots organisations reach their full potential, and is committed to making a positive impact in local communities.
Raising Her Game perfectly aligns with Rashan’s desire to diversify opportunity and representation in sport, and to make a real and positive impact, in currently under-represented communities. In providing the best example of inclusive, equitable and safe spaces, Rashan believes that Raising Her Game can set a shining example for others to follow, and ultimately inspire a broader and more equitable participation in sport.
OUR Team
ambassadors & Coaches
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Celia is an England rugby player and Tokyo 2020 Olympian. Celia’s love for sport runs back to her childhood, where she started out in gymnastics, followed by athletics, which lead her into a 10-year career in the heptathlon. It wasn’t until Celia was at university, aged 21, that she decided to take the leap as a talent transfer athlete and try my hand in rugby.
Throughout Celia’s life, sport has given her purpose and enjoyment. It has made her resilient and taught her discipline and courage. Through sport, Celia has met people from all different backgrounds and has found some of her best friends. That’s why Celia is so passionate about Raising Her Game, which is diversifying rugby and helping to make it accessible for all, so that everyone can have the opportunities that she has had
CELIA QUANSAH
Shaunagh Brown
ALEX MALZER
Fiona crackles
tess howard mbe
Vicky Alexander
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Sandra Akinbolu
Lily Saunders
Katie Curtis
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Lipa has a passion for football which is constantly growing, which led her to coin the catchphrase: "I'm going to change the world with a hijab on my head and a ball at my feet." Lipa wants to be the change by challenging herself and engaging with minority communities; by doing so, her catchphrase becomes a reality. She is a former semi-professional football player, and now a grassroots coach and sports activist. She sits on various sports boards, showcasing her passion for sports education, sports policy, and innovation. Her passions and values all align with the mission at Raising Her Game, making her the perfect ambassador to help create positive change.
SIMI PAM
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Simi is a PWR semi-professional premiership women's rugby player for Bristol Bears, and a member of the England Red Roses squad - a career that she juggles with being a hospital doctor. Simi did not find rugby until 23 years old whilst at university, and is passionate about inspiring the next generation of women and girls into finding the sport, particularly those of ethnic minorities who look and sound like her! Simi believes Raising Her Game is a crucial stepping stone to bridging the ethnical gap within rugby by exposing children from all backgrounds and ethnicities to the sport, and is really excited to be on board to support this
LIPA NESSA
VOLUNTEERS
PHOEBE CAVE
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Phoebe is a dedicated runner with a deep passion for health and fitness. Her enthusiasm led her to pursue a degree in Health and Exercise Science at the University of Bath. Now a graduate, she works in the partnerships team at RunThrough, ensuring that everyone - regardless of background - has the chance to participate in running events. She is committed to helping people become the healthiest and happiest versions of themselves, both physically and mentally. Phoebe is especially passionate about empowering girls who may not have access to sports, as she knows firsthand how life-changing sports can be.
sam parmar
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Sam is passionate about giving back to the community, promoting participation in sport, and helping young girls build confidence, communication skills, develop resilience, and enjoy the benefits of being active through sport.
ella redfern
vanessa
Lucie knights
heaven bowman
Millie attwell
kalpna bhatia
SUPPORTED BY
GRACE O'MALLEY -KUMAR FOUNDATION
We are delighted that the Grace O'Malley-Kumar Foundation is supporting Raising Her Game to empower. This partnership is especially significant as it honours Grace's vibrant legacy. Her passion for sport and inclusivity inspired those around her, and this collaboration is a way to carry forward her vision and legacy.
With their support, we are ensuring that more young girls, regardless of their background, have access to safe, inclusive spaces where they can build confidence, develop skills, and realise their potential through sport.
Grace was someone who never wanted anyone to feel alone. Honouring this, we have introduced Grace Groups at Camps, which help the girls foster new friendships and encourage them to get to know new people, so that no girl at Raising Her Game feels alone.