British Taekwondo is delighted to confirm the appointment of the inaugural members of its Equity, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EEDI) Advisory Committee, with a passionate and diverse team committed to driving positive change across the sport.
This group represents a major step forward in ensuring that British Taekwondo is welcoming, inclusive, and reflective of the communities it serves. Each member brings a unique perspective, lived experience, and a shared desire to remove barriers and open up opportunities for all.
The newly confirmed EEDI Advisory Committee includes individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, roles, and regions across British Taekwondo. This includes athletes, coaches, club officials, volunteers, and professionals from beyond the sport with specialist knowledge in equality and inclusion.
Meet the EEDI Advisory Committee
Sarah Howard
Sarah is the Head of Safeguarding & Compliance at British Taekwondo. With responsibility for policy and regulatory frameworks, Sarah brings essential expertise in ensuring our EEDI approach is underpinned by sound governance and up-to-date policies. Her role bridges compliance with inclusion.
Keira Forsythe
Disability Officer at British Taekwondo and Chair of the EEDI Committee. Keira provides focused insight into accessibility and disability inclusion within the sport. Her role is vital to ensuring that disabled participants have a voice and that inclusive practices are implemented across all areas.
Dafydd Rowlands
Head of Development at British Taekwondo. Dafydd has worked extensively on EEDI initiatives within British Taekwondo and has been instrumental in shaping previous inclusion-focused projects. His operational insight and commitment to development make him a key asset in driving DIAP implementation.
Gemma Biescas (PremierKi)
Oriane Lister (Kings College London Taekwondo)
As well as being a Lead instructor at Kings College London Taekwondo, Oriane is also an NHS physics trainee in radiotherapy with a passion for improving staff well-being. Oriane combines lived experience within British Taekwondo with her professional journey in mental health and inclusive coaching. Her background in adaptive skiing and the NHS provides valuable perspectives on inclusive practice and mental health awareness.
Jane Bedford (NTC)
Jane is a Para-Poomsae Player who has won medals on the World and European stage, as well as being a Workplace EEDI Champion. She brings her experience as a para-athlete and an established EEDI advocate in her workplace. Her insight into how EEDI frameworks are implemented in external organisations offers practical ideas for application within British Taekwondo.
Adriana Jhita (Superior Taekwondo)
Adriana is an Assistant Coach at Superior Taekwondo, and has worked closely with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds while being a strong advocate for fairness and equity within the sport. Her coaching experience and grassroots involvement make her voice particularly valuable for inclusive programme delivery.
Jo Morling (NTC Arnold)
Club Welfare Officer at NTC Arnold, Nottinghamshire and Public Health Professional. Jo offers a unique combination of lived experience of neurodivergence, alongside academic and professional expertise as a doctor and public health professor. Her focus on health inequalities and safeguarding adds significant depth to the committee's capacity.
Ian Murphy (Legacy Taekwondo Academy Hillsborough)
Ian is Chief Instructor at Legacy Taekwondo Academy Hillsborough, and has previously contributed to British Taekwondo's EEDI work and brings policy-level experience from his roles in local and central government. His insight into D&I policy development and implementation will be instrumental in shaping our strategy moving forward.
David White (Ignite Taekwondo Lincolnshire)
Chief instructor and Member of Ignite Taekwondo Lincolnshire, former GB Team athlete and holds a Master grade. Dave is autistic as is his son, so he brings lived and parental experience in SEN. He has been a huge asset in British Taekwondo previous EEDI work his 360-degree experience will be invaluable with our neurodivergent work.
Upon the naming of the members of the committee, British Taekwondo CEO Ian Leafe said: "I'm delighted that we have been able to bring together such a passionate and knowledgeable group of people to form our new Equity, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Committee.
"This group will play a vital role in shaping the future of British Taekwondo; providing valuable insights to ensure that our sport is welcoming, fair and accessible to everyone. Their expertise and lived experiences will help us deliver on our commitment to create an environment where all members can thrive and feel represented."
Our Vision for the Future
Together, the group will work to:
– Promote inclusivity within all areas of British Taekwondo, from grassroots to elite performance.
– Challenge inequality and advocate for fair access to training, competition, and leadership roles.
– Support underrepresented communities to have a stronger voice in the sport.
– Celebrating diversity by highlighting inspiring voices and stories from across the British Taekwondo community.
Equity, equality, diversity, and inclusion is fundamental to the future of our sport. British Taekwondo is proud to take this step, but we know lasting change is only possible when everyone gets involved.
We encourage all members, whether you're a lifelong coach, a new student, or a passionate supporter, to engage with the EEDI Group's work, share your voice, and help shape a better, more inclusive future for Taekwondo in the UK.
For updates on the EEDI Group's work, please contact our Inclusion Officer Keira Forsythe at disability@britishtaekwondo.org
Together, let's build a sport that truly represents respect, unity, and opportunity for all.
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