Girls of Brum
Girls of Brum unites schools, communities, businesses and leaders to drive a powerful citywide movement for change. It champions a Birmingham where every girl feels confident, resilient and empowered through sport, physical activity and leadership. When girls are supported to participate, be visible and lead, the benefits extend beyond the individual – strengthening families, building healthier communities and shaping a more inclusive city. By celebrating diversity and creating welcoming, accessible spaces, Girls of Brum builds lasting pathways that help girls stay active, connected and confident for life.
On 11 June, Birmingham’s iconic Alexander Stadium hosted our flagship Girls of Brum 2026 Summer Showcase Event. Bringing together girls from schools and communities across the city, the event offered a unique opportunity to try new sports and activities, build on existing skills, and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Participants had the chance to meet inspirational role models, make new connections, and grow in confidence. Building on the success of last year’s event, Girls of Brum continues to inspire and empower the next generation by encouraging girls’ participation in sport and physical activity, supporting a lifelong commitment to an active and healthy lifestyle.
Click here to access out Girls of Brum Partnership Pack.
Below are details of our key sponsors and providers.
Last Year’s Summer Showcase Event
Event Partners
Supporters Proudly Supporting the Girls of Brum
The following companies proudly support Girls of Brum. Click the logos for more information.
Pure Gym
Fab Little Bag
Joma Sport
Connect Padel (click here for exclusive event discount code)
Severn Trent
Vivify
Serco
Providers Delivering on the day
The following providers delivered some fantastic sport and activities on the day!
Any Girl Netball
Based in the West Midlands, Any Girl Netball is dedicated to providing free netball, multi-sport opportunities, and lifestyle mentoring to girls and young women.
Aston Villa Foundation
The Aston Villa Foundation runs multiple targeted football, education, and personal development programs for girls. Key initiatives include the Everybody’s Game project, the Changemakers female leadership program, and various Girls’ Football and Education Academies designed to provide inclusive pathways and equal opportunities.
Badminton England
Badminton England focuses on eliminating barriers to the sport by transforming local clubs into inclusive, healthy, and accessible spaces. To find out about Birmingham based badminton sessions and coaches contact Alex Lane!
alexlane@badmintonengland.co.uk
Binni’s Blades
A pioneering, grassroots community fencing group based in Ladywood, Birmingham. The club provides a safe space where women of all ages, faiths, and ethnic backgrounds can train, build physical confidence, and socialise.
Birmingham Hockey Club
Birmingham Hockey Club 1932 is an award-winning grassroots field hockey club based at the Small Heath Wellbeing Centre in Birmingham. Operating primarily across inner-city areas like Small Heath, Alum Rock, and Sparkbrook, the club is highly celebrated for its commitment to social integration and accessibility.
Birmingham Lions
The academy operates out of Erdington Rugby Club at Spring Lane Playing Fields. A specialized grassroots sports organisation dedicated to the personal, academic and athletic development of children and young people aged 7 to 19.
Birmingham Panthers
In the community, Birmingham Panthers operate as a social impact organisation across the West Midlands, structured to use elite women’s sport as a vehicle for health, education, and inclusivity.
c.osullivan@birminghampanthers.com
Bring it ToCIC
We are a Black female-led, community-focused organisation using dance, fitness, mentoring and wellbeing to help people build confidence, connection and self-belief.
British Cycling
British Cycling uses the power of cycling to tackle societal inactivity, combat social isolation and reduce systemic economic barriers. Operated heavily through the British Cycling Foundation charity, the national governing body shifts the focus away from elite racing to provide accessible, grassroot physical and mental health frameworks across the UK.
christianandrews@britishcycling.org.uk
British Judo
Within local neighbourhoods, British Judo positions the sport not just as a martial art, but as a tool for public health, personal safety, and social integration. The national governing body uses its funding to take judo out of traditional sports halls and embed it directly into marginalized communities, with a heavy emphasis on empowering women and girls.
pricemegan354@gmail.com and laurence.kenyon@britishjudo.org.uk
British Shooting
British Shooting offers highly inclusive, safe and active laser and air-powered target sports. Led by a dedicated Community & Engagement team, they use target shooting to improve young people’s concentration, physical coordination, and access to sport.
Rayan.sammut@britishshooting.org.uk
Bromsgrove Bears
Operating primarily from its main training base at Colmers School and Sixth Form College in Rednal, the club follows a community-first ethos that prioritises diversity, skill development, and a welcoming sporting atmosphere.
enquiries.bromsgrovebears@gmail.com
Continental Stars Table Tennis
A prominent community-focused sports organisation based at the Holford Drive Community Sports Hub in Perry Barr, Birmingham. The club’s guiding mission centres on using table tennis to drive social unity, promote public health and lower economic barriers to sport across inner-city communities
Crescent Archers
Crescent Archers are dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive, and supportive archery community. Their mission is guided by five core values; community, inclusivity, learning & education, respect and heritage.
Edgbaston Priory Tennis Club
Eloquent Dance
Based in Birmingham, Eloquent are deeply committed to youth empowerment, community engagement, and using the arts to tackle social issues.
England Kabaddi
Dedicated to promoting the high-intensity, traditional South Asian sport of kabaddi across the UK. Using both the National Indian Style (played on indoor mats) and Circle Style (played outdoors on grass) to drive multicultural integration, physical fitness, and community youth engagement
ERFC
Erdington RFC grassroots amateur rugby club based at Spring Lane Playing Fields on Kingsbury Road in Erdington. The club operates under a community first ethos and is known for being the only completely membership-free rugby club for all players under the age of 18. To eliminate every possible financial barrier to physical activity, the club waives all subscription fees, match fees, and kit costs for youth participants.
Fabric of the Community
Based in the heart of Birmingham, Fabric of the community are dedicated to youth empowerment, sports education and community engagement. Aiming to build social skills among young people through local programmes.
Info@fabricofthecommunitycic.com
Final Third
Working in collaboration with Birmingham City Foundation, the organisation helps professional sports clubs, governing bodies, and club community organisations integrate environmental sustainability into their everyday operations. They use the power of sport to simplify climate education, promote green fan behaviour, and empower communities to take practical green actions.
rich@finalthirdsport.co.uk and chantel.hunter@bcfc.com
Foundations 4 the Future
Based in Birmingham, F4TF are dedicated to empowering, supporting, and enriching the lives of young people. They partner with mainstream schools, Alternative Provisions, and Pupil Referral Units to provide a platform for young people to transition into positive lifestyles.
j.campbell@foundations4thefuture.co.uk
Four Oaks Tennis Club (Padel)
Proudly known as “the friendly club” – Four Oaks is a community-focused racket sports venue located in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham. The club functioned as a vibrant social hub for families, recreational players and competitive athletes across the West Midlands.
Gate8
Using cycling and BMXing as a facilitator, Shanaze Reade dedicates her time to advocating for mental health awareness, youth mentoring and inspiring women and girls into the world of BMXing.
Golf Foundation
The Golf Foundation introduces children from all backgrounds to golf to teach them vital life skills. The charity operates heavily in primary schools, secondary schools, and local communities to change the perception of golf and make it highly accessible, affordable, and inclusive.
martin@golf-foundation.org and beth@golf-foundation.org
Girls Hit Harder
Girls Hit Harder is a female-led sports organisation providing specialised, female-focused cricket coaching for women and girls across the West Midlands. The Birmingham-based company was created to tackle the steep dropout rates of young girls from club cricket.
Girlshithardercricket@gmail.com
Hollywood Bowl
www.hollywoodbowl.co.uk/birmingham-broadway-plaza
IHeartFood
A vibrant vegan food company who are heavily intertwined with community outreach and youth development within Birmingham schools. Working with young people and their families to teach them around nutrition, life skills and developing a relationship with good tasty food!
Impact Fitness Academy
The academies mission is to provide a nurturing environment where individuals of all ages and skill levels can experience the life-enhancing benefits of freestyle wrestling and other martial arts. They strive to create a community that fosters personal growth, self-confidence, and camaraderie.
sahara@impactfitnessacademy.com
Impact 4 Life
The Birmingham based organisation has a range of programmes that aim to increase your confidence, improve health outcomes, increase self-esteem, help you feel good inside & out. Empower you to thrive and help you live your best life.
Just Play
A female-led community club focused on making recreational basketball accessible, inclusive and pressure-free; their overarching motto is “Community Over Competition”.
M.A.D. (Make a Difference)
M.A.D Birmingham (which stands for Make A Difference) is an open-access youth development and engagement programme run by Sport Birmingham. The sports-driven initiative is specifically designed to support vulnerable young people aged 11 to 16 who face personal, social, or economic disadvantages, using physical activity as a tool to tackle social issues and reduce exclusion from mainstream schooling.
safeera.hickson@sportbirmingham.org
Mosely Rugby Community Foundation
The foundation uses the power of sport, physical activity, and the values of rugby to improve health, wellbeing, education, and employment opportunities across Birmingham.
dan.lavander@moseleyrugby.co.uk
Neo Sports
A Birmingham-based Community organisation dedicated to improving the lives of young people aged 4–16 through accessible sports coaching and personal mentoring. Utilising mobile coaching, they deliver directly to community through school partnerships.
N.browne@neosportscoaching.com
NFL Flag American Football
NFL UK uses the power of American football to tackle societal inequality, boost physical health, and improve education across the country. The organisation focuses on expanding NFL Flag Football – a fast-paced, non-contact version of the sport – as an co-educational tool for underserved youth aged 11-20.
Omega Outdoor Adventure
Focusing on Education through adventure; tailoring its activities to promote life skills across all age groups and abilities. Omega Outdoor Adventure provide a mobile service where instructors bring outdoor team-building equipment, archery, or mobile setups directly onto school grounds or youth group sites.
info@omegaoutdooradventure.co.uk
Pure Gym
www.puregym.com/gyms/edgebaston
Severn Trent
Shifting beyond its core role as a water utility provider, the company provides a range of free workshops and visits for schools to inspire the next generation of water guardians. Looking at eco-conservation, hydration and the ‘Three P’s’ .
Roisin-HR.McBain@severntrent.co.uk
She Beasts
Based in the West Midlands, She Beasts inspire, educate & coach through fitness nutrition and mindset to empower females to adopt lasting positive change to live their best lives!
Spark Active
Offering a wide range of physical activity opportunities for teachers and pupils; the organization specializes in delivering elite physical education (PE), school sport networks, and active health initiatives across North and East Birmingham.
Sport 4 Life
The organisation uses sports-themed personal development, structured mentoring, and formal training to empower disadvantaged young people (aged 11 to 29) to breakout of unemployment and transition into education, employment, or training (NEET).
Sporting Pathways
A female-led community club based in Birmingham and the West Midlands. Using multi-sport coaching, workshops, and community events to tackle discrimination, reduce anti-social behaviour, and promote physical health.
StrongHER Squad
Based in Birmingham, they focus on empowering the next generation of women through fitness and mental heath support. Helping girls aged 9-18 years old build physical strength, self-confidence and engage in community.
Support Through Sport
Combining sport and professional youth work to support vulnerable young people; the charity uses physical activity as a preventative “hook” to steer at-risk youth away from anti-social behaviour, youth offending, gang culture and knife crime.
zed@supportthroughsport.org.uk
Sutton Coldfield Squash Club
Based in Wylde Green, Sutton Coldfield Squash Rackets Club hosts amazing facilities and coaching team. Aligning with England Squash’s projects and programmes, Sutton squash offers junior and grassroot pathways to introduce squash to school spaces.
The Plug
A Birmingham-based youth organisation who provide targeted mentoring, peer support, and violence prevention for young people, utilizing sports, fitness, and outreach. Their operations centre heavily around improving youth engagement, wellbeing and community resilience in the West Midlands.
Nickisha.moses@theplugmentoringservices.co.uk
The Pioneer Group
The Pioneer Group Youth Services team provides after-school activities, sports opportunities, and inclusive sensory sessions to support young people in the Castle Vale area of Birmingham. Operating out of their community hub, their goal is to provide timely support to children and families while strengthening community cohesion
jane.barrett@pioneergroup.org.uk
Together St. Paul’s
St. Paul’s Community Development Trust works to support residents in Balsall Heath and the wider Birmingham area by providing a diverse mix of education, childcare, health, and community support services. Offering youth and after school club services as well as supporting adult wellbeing.
humera.khatun@stpaulstrust.org.uk
Veolia
Collaborating with local councils to transform classrooms and playgrounds into active hubs for eco-conservation. The company delivers free curriculum-linked workshops, host interactive recycling site tours, and fund hands-on biodiversity projects to help students master sustainable waste reduction and circular economy principles.
Warwickshire Cricket Foundation
Warwickshire Cricket Foundation works with hundreds of primary, secondary, and special educational needs (SEN) schools across Birmingham and the wider county every year to make cricket accessible, fun, and inclusive for all abilities and ages.
Leaders Forum Panel Event
Running in tandem with the outdoor activity of the Summer Showcase Event at Alexander Stadium on 11th June, a morning Leaders Forum panel event was held in the stadium’s main conference suite.
The session brought together stakeholders from across sport, education, and community sectors for a series of focused discussions exploring participation, inclusion, and opportunity for girls and young women. The programme featured a structured agenda of networking, keynote insights, and a central panel discussion, with high-profile speakers.
The event was designed to foster collaboration, share best practice, and drive collective action, aligning with the wider ambition and energy of the Girls of Brum event taking place across the stadium.
For the full story click here
Event Agenda
09:00 – 09:45 Arrival and Networking
09:45 – 10:30 Summer Showcase Opening Ceremony
10:30 – 10:40 Welcome and Context
10:45 – 11:25 Panel Discussion, Q&A
11:25 Signing of Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration
11:30 Forum Close
11:30 – 12:00 Optional Stadium Tour and Further Networking.
The following stakeholders attended our Leaders Forum:
Karenjeet Kaur Bains – In 2023, Karenjeet made a striking debut as ‘Athena’ in the BBC One series Gladiators. A high-achiever with a proven track record of discipline, resilience, and peak performance, she is a Commonwealth Powerlifting Champion with multiple gold medals to her name, Karenjeet’s journey exemplifies the power of perseverance, goal-setting, and breaking barriers—principles that resonate deeply in the corporate world.
Karenjeet was the first British Sikh female to represent GB at the World and European Championships. Her ability to compete at the highest level, including representing Great Britain on international stages, highlights her expertise in leadership, adaptability, and overcoming challenges. Beyond sports, her Guinness World Record for the most bodyweight squats in one minute reflects an unmatched drive for excellence—qualities essential for success in any professional environment. Karenjeet’s story is not just about physical strength; it’s about mental resilience, determination, and achieving results under pressure—making her an inspiring and dynamic speaker for corporate audiences.
Karenjeet’s media appearances include Blue Peter, Children in Need, The Weakest Link, Morning Live, Celebrity Mastermind, CBBC Mash Up, and BBC Asian Network.
Laura Entwistle – Strategy Implementation Lead, ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
Dr Melissa Morrison – Sport Ed Psych, Educational & Child Psychologist
Vivify partners with schools to open up their sports and community facilities beyond the school day, helping create more accessible spaces for local people to be active, connect and thrive. For more info click here
Laurie Jamie-Williams is Head of Strategic Partnerships at Serco Leisure, with a strong background in operational leadership and facility management across Sport England’s National Sports Centres. She works closely with Sport England, National Governing Bodies, and strategic partners across both the National Sports Centres and Serco Leisure’s wider portfolio, helping to develop high-performing, inclusive, and sustainable environments that support elite sport, community participation, and long-term social impact. For more info click here
For more info about Joma click here
For more about Hollywood Bowl Birmingham Broadway Plaza click here
Tracey Francis, Head of Participation Programmes, England Athletics
For more information about England Athletics click here
Shimul Haider, Head of Equality, Sport England
For more information about Sport England click here
Helen Tonks is a former secondary school Head of PE in one of the biggest schools in Sandwell. Helen taught for 14 years and is now the Partnership Development Manager for King Edward VI Aston School. The school is an all boys grammar in the heart of the city. Within the partnership, the team work with 58 schools including primary, secondary, alternative provision and faith schools. Helen is also a Development Coach for the Youth Sport Trust and an AfPE tutor.
Misbah Fayaz is a community leader, creative practitioner, and advocate passionate about creating spaces where marginalised voices are heard and valued, particularly girls and women from Muslim communities.
With a background in neuroscience and experience transitioning from the education sector into grassroots community work, her work focuses on embedding wellbeing, creativity, and inclusion into everything she does. She is currently completing a Master’s degree in Mental Health, driven by a commitment to ensuring mental health is destigmatised and meaningfully integrated within programmes and communities, rather than treated as an isolated issue.
Misbah is one of the founders, Managing Director, and Programme Development Lead at Inspire Hub, where she leads the development of community-based programmes centred on youth empowerment, wellbeing, sport, arts, and social impact. She is also Co-Founder and Programme Development Lead at Future Pages in Bristol, an organisation supporting children and young people with neurodivergence through enrichment opportunities in the arts, sport, and family support services.
She strongly believes in meaningful collaboration and building partnerships that create long-term, system-level change rather than working in isolation. Her approach centres on bringing communities, organisations, and individuals together to create sustainable and impactful opportunities for those who are often underrepresented.
Lisa O’Keefe MBE is the Secretary General of the International Working Group (IWG) on Women and Sport, which is the world’s largest network dedicated to advancing gender equality in sport. Lisa’s previous role was Executive Director of Insight at Sport England where she led the globally recognised ‘This Girl Can’ campaign. A former international sportswoman herself, Lisa is an advocate for women’s sport, with extensive knowledge regarding the barriers women and girls face, the need for research and insight to create systemic change, and the value of the IWG for connecting people wanting to make these changes. For more information about the IWG click here
More stakeholders to follow, watch this space!
Check out this video about Pure Gym’s ongoing collaboration with Girls of Brum
Check out this video from Hollywood Bowl Birmingham Broadway Plaza
Check out this video from Connect Padel Birmingham
