SASHA SUTHERLAND
"My journey has been shaped by diverse individuals across ages, backgrounds, classes, and races. Diversity is a privilege for those making a positive impact in the world."
Meet Sasha, a Director at the The Barbados Olympic Association Inc. and Chair of the Barbados Girls Cricket Club (the only girls' cricket club in the Caribbean) — a cricket and social change project aimed at creating safe spaces for girls and women to participate in sport. She is a passionate advocate for gender equity, sport for climate and nature action, and clean sport. Sasha is also a university lecturer and researcher who has published work on menstrual health and sport for development, sexism in sport and its impacts on girls and women, as well as race and gender in sport.
THE FUTURE OF SPORT
“‘Our’ time has always been now. It is our responsibility to make a positive difference in the lives of the generation coming after us. We should leave the sporting environment in a much better state than we met it and we should let our light shine so that it gives others permission to do the same.”
BARRIERS HINDERING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN SPORT
“Gender/Race: Simply being a woman often disqualifies individuals from equal access and participation in sport. We need to foster partnerships that acknowledge the coexistence of different identities while ensuring equality.
Ability: Sports policies should celebrate the uniqueness of all participants and not favour able-bodied sports over parasports. Investment in sport must be equitable across the board and not solely dependent on broadcast metrics.”
INSTRUMENTAL PEOPLE IN SASHA’S SPORTING JOURNEY
“My first sports administration mentor was Roland Butcher, the first Black man to play Test cricket for England. He has remained a mentor and friend and is the reason I became involved in the Girls Cricket Club initiative. Dr. Iva Gloudon and Grace Jackson were the first female administrators I modelled myself after, while my Olympic administration journey was influenced by Nicole Hoevertsz, Veda Bruno-Victor, Tricia Smith, Erskine Simmons and Steve Stoute.
My current mentors in administration are Glyne Clarke and Sandra Obsorne while my academic journey was/is heavily championed by Professors John Nauright and Alan Cobley and Dr. Marcia Burrowes. My biggest supporters are my family, especially my husband Keron Boyce.”
SASHA’S ADVICE FOR WORKING IN SPORT
“Prepare well so that when the opportunity comes knocking, you are ready. When you’re going for gold, take others with you. When you reach the top, appreciate it, but also advocate for others and mentor those coming after you. Don’t discount the value of partnering with others to achieve your goals.”
