Workshop held to empower female sports leaders and administrators

Thirteen participants from various local sporting organisations recently participated in a Women’s Leadership Workshop entitled ‘Re-Presenting Female Leaders in Sport’ at the Barbados Olympic Association (BOA).

 

The workshop, geared towards empowering current and aspiring female sports leaders and administrators, was coordinated by Marsha Boyce, a participant in the Commonwealth Sport Women Leaders Programme from 2024-2025, and supported by Commonwealth Sport and Commonwealth Sport Barbados.

 

According to Boyce, the objective of the one-day workshop was to help participants uncover their strengths, while developing other competencies to assist them in becoming effective leaders in their respective sporting associations and organisations.

 

“You may ask whether this kind of initiative is really needed. The statistics as of October 2025 showed that across our National Sporting Federations, only 13.3 per cent of presidents were women. 

 

“This scenario is not unique to Barbados and can be found across the global sporting landscape. For example, Commonwealth Sport reports that approximately three out of four executive positions in international sport are held by men,” Boyce revealed.

 

“As such, projects like this are necessary to encourage female administrators to step forward into the leadership roles they are more than capable of fulfilling as we seek to address the gap in women’s representation at the decision-making level.”

 

Also addressing the workshop was Commonwealth Sport Regional Development Manager, Caribbean and the Americas, Ryan Brathwaite.

 

“It is especially rewarding to see this workshop delivered and really speaking to how female leaders chart a path towards becoming effective leaders and also equally witness Marsha translating her learning into meaningful action,” Brathwaite said.

 

He added that the Commonwealth Women Leadership Programme is Commonwealth Sport’s flagship initiative, aimed at empowering women and supporting their leadership development across the region.

 

“Through this programme, the 2024 – 2025 cohort saw 16 women leaders, including participants from the Caribbean and Barbados, being supported over a 12-month period through a scholarship and by dedicated mentors to help shape and strengthen their leadership potential.” 

 

“I am excited to see the growing impact of this programme in our region, and I am confident that today’s workshop will contribute to cultivating more women leaders in sport,” Brathwaite added.

 

While addressing those gathered, BOA President Sandra Osbourne, maintained that good leaders have incredible impact when they lead for the right reasons.

 

“The central question before you even contemplate leadership in any role is – why do I want to do this? Is it just to replace male leaders with female leaders because we think we are better? Or is it that our time has come?

 

Or is it because we just like being in charge? You see, leadership is more than a title, it’s a commitment to take responsibility, to lift others up, to build a culture where unity of purpose and talent – not gender – determine success,” Osbourne said.

 

She reminded the participants that leadership at any level is a commitment to use their influence as a force for good.

 

“The beauty about leadership is that everyone doesn’t have to be the president. There are multiple positions of influence so don’t be timid about seizing different opportunities and building a rewarding future for yourself, in which you make a difference for the right reasons,” Osbourne said.

(KH/PR)