Welcome to this week’s exciting episode of Monday Night Live! Hello everyone, I'm Derek Arden and welcome to another inspiring edition of Monday Night Live.Tonight, we have a truly special guest: Sallie Barker MBE, the current Mayor of Guildford and a lifelong champion of sport, education, inclusion, and community leadership. In this wide-ranging and uplifting conversation, Sallie shares her extraordinary journey — from a PE teacher passionate about climbing mountains to becoming a national leader in sport administration and finally, the Mayor of her beloved community. From the Classroom to National Sport Leadership Sallie’s story begins in the world of education, where she taught physical education with a passion for helping young people thrive. Her love of sport, combined with her drive for greater inclusion, led her into sports administration — rising through the ranks quickly over 13 years across three major organizations, including Sport England. At Sport England, Sallie helped organize major international events such as the World Blind Games and World Lacrosse Championships. Her outstanding contributions earned her an MBE from the Queen in 2017. Overcoming Challenges in Major Sporting Events Organizing global events is no easy feat! Sallie discusses the behind-the-scenes challenges: from funding issues to coordinating thousands of athletes and volunteers, to ensuring accessibility and inclusivity.She reflects on how events like the cricket finals at Birmingham during COVID times showcased the power of sport to unite and inspire — even under enormous pressure. Championing Women in Sport and Inclusion One of Sallie’s greatest achievements has been her work promoting women in sport.When she first joined the scene, women’s sports struggled for recognition, funding, and media coverage. Thanks to pioneers like Sallie, women’s teams today — from football to boxing — enjoy unprecedented visibility and support. However, she also discusses ongoing debates around inclusion, especially in areas like transgender participation in sports. Sallie emphasizes the importance of fairness, empirical research, and creating opportunities for everyone, while recognizing the complexity of these evolving conversations. A New Chapter: Becoming Mayor of Guildford After retiring from her professional sports career, Sallie felt the call to public service. At a key council meeting, when no one else stepped forward to become Mayor, Sallie took the leap — and the rest is history. Now, as Mayor of Guildford, she is focused on supporting local charities, tackling isolation and mental health issues, and helping veterans and those affected by dementia. Her passion for community shines through in everything she does. The True Role of a Mayor: Connecting and Supporting Many people don't realize the real day-to-day work of a Mayor. Sallie shares heartwarming stories of visiting charities, supporting isolated individuals, and helping organizations that often struggle for recognition and funding.From leading fundraising events to advocating for vital community causes, Sallie shows how leadership at the local level can make a real, human difference. Honoring Tradition While Embracing Change Sallie also shares memorable moments from receiving her MBE, including the surreal experience of meeting the Queen.She reflects on the importance of keeping traditions alive — while being open to the necessary changes that modern society demands. Balancing the old and the new, she believes, is crucial for keeping communities strong and connected. Final Reflections: Passion, Service, and Looking Ahead Even after a remarkable career, Sallie is not slowing down.Her dedication to service, passion for sport, and love for her community continue to drive her forward.However, she wisely notes the importance of balance, self-care, and not taking on too much — a lesson we can all appreciate!
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2025/06/0533 分