Ambassador

Badminton Europe Gender Equity Ambassador Oct 2020 - Present

Badminton Europe Confederation (BEC) launched the Project in November 2020, looking towards improving gender equity within the sport. Badminton Europe believes a holistic approach must be implemented. One that begins to help us unravel and understand the reasons behind the evident lack of female representation in areas of badminton; with the primary aims of:

Strengthening and establishing the role of women in the European badminton community,
Encouraging the development of female representation in all Member Associations, and
Making recommendations to the Board of Directors in terms of providing new ideas, solutions and inspiration.

Rachel was appointed as one of nine Gender Equity Ambassadors (GEA) prior to the project’s launch. Badminton Europe hopes the Ambassadors can be engaging role models to the badminton community and raise awareness around them about this topic.

“I’m very pleased to have been selected as a Badminton Europe Gender Equity Ambassador. I feel like this role combines two of my passions: challenging inequalities in sport, and badminton, so I’m excited to start this work.

However, I would’ve loved to have seen some male ambassadors but unfortunately, none even applied. Hopefully, that will change in the future!”

– Rachel speaking about being chosen as an ambassador. [Nov 2020]

Teaming up with another GEA, also from England, they hosted a webinar on behalf of Badminton Europe and Badminton England on Gender Equity in English badminton – highlighting some of the barriers that women face when looking to become involved in the sport, and how these barriers can be reduced. Rachel was among the five panellists, bringing her insight about her experiences as a spokesperson for the sport, and the high-performance para-badminton aspect and the challenges she can face.

Read more about the Gender Equity Project launch and the webinars and events on Badminton Europe.

Fundacja Bartłomieja Mroza Ambassador Mar 2018 - Present

Fundacja Bartłomieja Mroza (EN: Bartłomiej Mróz Foundation) was established in February 2018 in Warsaw, Poland. The main goals of the Foundation are to promote participation in sport, particularly badminton, amongst persons with disabilities, and the further development of Para-Badminton in Poland. The Foundation hosts regular training events in Warsaw where players learn the technical elements of para-badminton, as well as develop physical fitness; this translates into rehabilitation by increasing mobility, capability and independence in daily activities. Additionally, the Foundation hosts educational workshops which aim to teach coaches and instructors the basics of para-badminton and highlight opportunities for integration within badminton clubs.

The organisation’s founder, president and namesake, Bartłomiej Mróz, and Rachel first met at the BWF European Para-Badminton Championships in 2012. From then, they would often see one another at tournaments around the world and formed a great friendship. Shortly after the Foundation’s inception, Bartłomiej approached Rachel and asked if she would join the Foundation as their first International Ambassador.

“I am inspired by the ideas and plans of Fundacja Bartłomieja Mroza and I am keen to help them on their journey in developing para-badminton in Poland and around the world.”

– Rachel on becoming an Ambassador for Fundacja Bartłomieja Mroza. [March 2018]

In 2018, Rachel was invited to Zakopane, Poland for the Bartłomiej Mróz Foundation Event during a ‘National Badminton Days’ Festival. There, along with the rest of the Foundation’s team, they helped launch the event by participating in exhibition matches during the opening ceremony, hosted para-badminton training clinics throughout the festival, and hosted a para-badminton tournament.

Read more about Fundacja Bartłomieja Mroza (translated to English).

Sporting Equals Lead Ambassador Nov 2016 - Present

Sporting Equals is an independent body that actively works to promote ethnic diversity throughout the sporting community. Originally formed in 1998 by Sport England, in partnership with the Commission for Racial Equality, Sporting Equals have worked to promote inclusivity through policy change and community-based engagement. They understand and recognise the need for education and awareness within communities to bridge the current gaps in knowledge of key organisations in sport. Some of their primary aims include:

Raising awareness and understanding of the needs of Ethnically Diverse Communities within the sports and health sector, changing attitudes and increasing participation in sport and physical activity, and
Advising and supporting policymakers to be inclusive of all under-represented groups.

Rachel was introduced to Sporting Equals in December 2015 when she was nominated for two awards (Inspirational Performance of the Year and Sportswoman of the Year) for their annual flagship event, the British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards (BEDSAs). While attending the event the following February, Rachel was thrilled to have won the Inspirational Performance of the Year Award – fending off boxer Anthony Joshua and para-athlete Kadeena Cox. After learning more of Sporting Equals' work, Rachel found that their values closely aligned with her own so was pleased when she was asked to become a Sporting Equals Lead Ambassador later that year.

Since becoming an Ambassador, Rachel has participated in various events on behalf of Sporting Equals. She has attended all subsequent BEDSAs, and each year has been asked to present an award; attended the ‘Promoting Ethnic Diversity in Sport’ Event in the House of Commons; invited to be part of the BEDSA 2020 Judging Panel; helped in fundraising efforts as part of the London Marathon 2020 – The 2.6 Challenge; and most recently, spoke on the Q&A Panel as part of the ‘Race Equality: State of the Sector’ 2021 Online Event.

“Thank you to Sporting Equals for inviting me to be a part of this amazing event and allowing me to share some of my story during the Q&A.

Such thought-provoking information and statistics shared on race in sport, and during the pandemic. It was a true pleasure to be a part of a list of such esteemed speakers and guests. Although I won't lie, speaking to the 550+ audience

was nerve-wracking!”

– Rachel after speaking on the ‘Race Equality: State of the Sector’ 2021 Online Event. [March 2021]

Read more about Sporting Equals and their annual flagship event, the British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards.

Asian Sports Foundation Ambassador Feb 2016-Present

Asian Sports Foundation (ASF) is a UK based charity campaigning for equality and inclusion for Asian communities in sport. They have delivered tangible projects which break down cultural and religious barriers and provide sporting benefits to a much under-represented community. Understanding the importance of awareness and education, ASF host Cultural Insight Training Workshops, and specialise in conducting insight research among Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic audiences. Just some of their objectives include:

Encouraging and increasing participation in sport in Asian communities – improving their health and wellbeing.
Creating safe, inclusive education and life-skills based programmes for children affected by poverty, conflict or family breakdown by using their experience and ambassadors to develop sports-led programmes in marginalised communities, promoting social cohesion, education and health.
Campaigning for sports governing bodies, clubs and committees to recognise and deliver on their responsibilities for equal inclusion for minority ethnic communities.

After reaching a critical point in the development, ASF felt the need to build a ‘Team of Ambassadors’ that would help represent the organisation as they continued to grow. In 2016, Asian Sports Foundation approached Rachel asking if she would join them as an Ambassador.

“I am very impressed by Asian Sports Foundation’s work, and the ambitious goals they look to achieve by helping people in the Asian community through the power of sport. I have never appreciated how supportive the Liverpool Chinese community have been of my badminton career until now, but it saddens me to think that others may not have this due to their cultures or beliefs. I’m keen to break down these barriers and promote racial equality so people of all ethnic backgrounds feel that they can comfortably and safely participate in sport.”

– Rachel on being appointed as an ASF Ambassador, her first ambassadorial role. [Apr 2016]

In 2017, EY Sikh Network in-partnership with Asian Sports Foundation hosted the ‘Asians in Sports’ Event. As an ASF Ambassador, Rachel was invited to London to speak on the event’s panel. Rachel spoke passionately of her badminton journey and how her Chinese heritage and community impacted and supported her upbringing and outlook towards sports. The sold-out event was a great success in bringing awareness to cultural differences and how they can impact participation and involvement in sport.

Read more about Asian Sports Foundation.

If you would like to work with Rachel, click to [Get in touch].