Radha Balani: Why women's football does not need to follow the men's game

Industry professional Radha Balani was one of the latest guests on the new season of The Game Changers podcast.

As it is a lifelong passion of hers, she described sport as “the fundamental core” of her life — something that has been with her since she was a child and remains present now.

Balani delved into how the landscape of women’s sport, particularly football, has evolved over the years while also creating an environment different to that of the men’s game.

Balani works in the area of sport development and is currently the co-Managing Director of Think Beyond — a social impact and sustainability consultancy that supports organisations in helping to make a positive impact on the world.

Sport has given great joy to millions of people around the world and remains a safe space for many. While Balani has also enjoyed some of her best memories in a sporting setting, she has stressed how it can sometimes be very much the opposite.

“[Sport is] the way that I have navigated being in a world that doesn’t necessarily feel like it was for me. It’s where I’ve had the best experiences and the worst experiences of my life.

“I think there is sport for sport’s sake that offers a place where you can either feel really included or really excluded.

“I’ve absolutely felt a part of sports and I’ve absolutely felt entirely alienated by it. It’s available to give people a load of things that it will automatically do, you will learn a set of skills, but I don’t subscribe to it being magic. I really don’t.

“I subscribe to the intentional use of it being utterly remarkable, and when done well, I have had the privilege of seeing it change lives. But I don’t think that should take away from the pure joy of just playing and I don’t necessarily