Sports Ambassadors

GB Olympic rower with three World Rowing Championships medals, two European Championships medals and a fourth-place finish in the Men’s Pair at Rio 2016, and former Director of Rowing and former rowing coach at St Andrews University in Scotland.

“Our Streets Now are fighting tirelessly every day for the safety of women, girls and marginalised genders. Through raising awareness and offering education, they’re making huge inroads towards real change, both in our communities and in parliament. It’s my honour to begin working with the team to unpick, learn, and support their mission. I’m extremely proud and excited to be Our Streets Now’s first male ambassador. Through my career as a rower, in teams from university right through to Olympic level, as a student, athlete and coach, I’ve seen how great a need there is to challenge, call out, educate and support boys and men to reduce sexual harassment. I’m not perfect; I can think of many instances where I could have done better. But I’m committed to doing the work; to play my part in making our communities safer for women and girls, and also to help others to do the work within their own settings and lives too”

Triple Paracanoe Paralympic Champion, ten-time World Champion and two-time Paralympic Swimming Medalist. Charlotte was the first ambassador for our sports campaign, passionate about creating safer and more inclusive spaces for disabled women and girls to participate in sport.

“I’ve been a long time follower of OSN and have always admired their tireless passion and the incredibly valuable work they have done across multiple areas.

As an elite athlete and someone who is passionate about ensuring exercise and sport are safer spaces for women, the results from the OSN survey are deeply concerning. The sheer number of women who have reported sexual harassment while exercising, and just how many have had to make adjustments to their exercising habits because of this is a clear indicator that something more needs to be done. That’s why I’m so pleased to be part of this campaign which aims to educate, create policy and ultimately change the landscape, and therefore create a safer future for women and girls who want to exercise and participate in sport.”

Bethan Taylor-Swaine is a PhD candidate and feminist sociologist of sport studying the representations and identities of women in ultra-marathons. Bethan is passionate about diversity and inclusion in running and is committed to challenging how we talk about our sport to encourage as many people as possible to find joy in running.

Bethan advocates pace inclusion, spending time outdoors and living well in the world. 

“The work that ONS does addressing street harassment is absolutely phenomenal and it is a privilege to be an ambassador for the Sports campaign.

As an activist and academic, I am passionate about addressing the sport-gender gap, and that includes tackling the issue of harassment in sport. We know that women are opting out of sport because of fear of harassment and, where they do participate, are modifying their behaviour because they are scared. It is clear that this is a significant issue and that something needs to be done to address it. My hope is that through this campaign we will be able to educate, influence policy and have an impact which means more women and girls will be able to enjoy sport confidently and safely.”

Samantha Williams is a competitive weightlifter, weightlifting coach and physiotherapist.

“As a specialist MSK physiotherapist, a competitive athlete, and a performance and weightlifting coach, I navigate two industries that are traditionally male-dominated. These fields often require women to “prove themselves” before receiving the same level of support afforded to men. My journey as a female entrepreneur in these spaces has highlighted the persistent challenges women face, which are further compounded for women of color. In conversations with fellow Black physiotherapists, I’ve described the experience of being a black professional, as feeling like “being a woman twice.” This encapsulates the compounded barriers we encounter daily in both professional and athletic settings.

My experiences as a Black, mixed-race woman and athlete have shaped my unwavering commitment to empowerment. I’ve faced these challenges head-on, channeling them into a drive to uplift others navigating similar struggles. As both an activist and a professional, I am deeply passionate about addressing the lack of diversity in sports and bridging the sport-gender gap.

Although I feel confident advocating for myself in these environments, I have often observed—and experienced—situations that leave me uncomfortable. I can only imagine how much harder it must be for individuals who do not feel empowered to speak up or protect their boundaries. These issues demand a proactive approach to reimagine these spaces as inclusive, equitable, and safe for everyone.

I am excited to collaborate with OSN to continue educating, advocating, and supporting communities in fostering equality and safety, particularly in spaces where people should feel free to pursue their passions without fear or barriers. Together, I believe we can make meaningful strides toward a more inclusive and supportive future.”