Rushan has always believed in the power of sport to create belonging.
As Communications Manager at Redtorch, she brings that vision to life every day. Beyond her role, she is the founder of SheCanServe and She Lifts – two communities built to give women safe and empowering spaces in tennis and Olympic weightlifting.
A competitor, coach and community builder, she knows how transformative it can be when women see themselves reflected in sport.
Roots in Sport and Representation
Rushan’s journey began with her mum’s encouragement to try everything. Tennis was her first love, and by 16 she was already coaching, with a focus on helping young girls access the same joy she had found. Later, her creative instincts took her online. Through her platform @afroroosh, she shared natural hair tutorials and worked with major brands. ‘It taught me the power of representation,’ she says. ‘Showing women with natural hair how to style it themselves showed me how much impact visibility can have.’
That lesson carried through into her work in sport. At Gymshark and Decathlon she designed activations that brought communities together, always with inclusion at the core.
The joy and confidence sport has given me is the same joy
I want other women to experience.
Pioneering in Male-Dominated Spaces
Whether in tennis or Olympic weightlifting, Rushan has often been one of the only women in the room. ‘In tennis especially, there are very few women of colour. Growing up, I didn’t see many Black girls playing, let alone coaching,’ she explains. Even during her coaching qualifications, she was often the only woman. Those experiences sharpened her awareness of how much work is needed to make sport more inclusive.
‘The joy and confidence sport has given me is the same joy I want other women to experience,’ she says. That belief now drives everything she does.
Milestones and Full-Circle Moments
From collaborating with global brands to hosting her own events, Rushan has achieved milestones that reflect both creativity and determination. She highlights the She Lifts events hosted at Gymshark’s flagship store as a personal triumph. ‘Being invited to do it again showed me that what we were building had real value,’ she says. With SheCanServe, every stage of growth has felt like a milestone – from hosting events with Lululemon to receiving support from major brands for their community.
She also treasures personal achievements: graduating as the first in her family, competing at English Championships and ranking among the best weightlifters in England after starting the sport at 24.
Overcoming Challenges
Representation has been a double-edged sword. As a Black woman, Rushan has faced the sense of needing to work harder to be seen as equal. ‘There have been times when my voice hasn’t been fully heard, or I’ve been overlooked,’ she admits. Yet she sees these barriers as opportunities to open doors for the next generation. ‘I believe no change comes without challenge. I want to be the one who breaks barriers.’
The Future of Women’s Sport
What excites Rushan most is the momentum in women’s sport. ‘I can’t wait to see more women-led initiatives gaining recognition and support,’ she says. For her, grassroots communities are vital, because they inspire confidence and create change at the foundation level. She also sees the power of athletes using their own social platforms: ‘When female athletes tell their stories directly, it builds authentic connections and brings more visibility to women’s sport.’
Representation has to be meaningful and long term. That means building spaces where women feel safe, valued and supported.
Shaping Change Beyond the Spotlight
For Rushan, progress in women’s sport cannot only be measured by visibility on the pitch or screen. ‘It’s about who is in the head offices, who is making the decisions and who has the final say,’ she says. She believes true change happens when women, particularly women of colour, are present in boardrooms and leadership roles. ‘Representation has to be meaningful and long term. That means building spaces where women feel safe, valued and supported.’
For Women Coming Up
Her advice is simple: say yes. ‘Say yes to every opportunity, event or experience, because fear of judgement can hold us back far more than we realise,’ she says. For Rushan, creating her own community was a catalyst for her career. It showed employers that her passion was already lived experience, not just words on a CV.
She also champions connection. ‘Find women in the roles you’re striving for, or even women in similar positions to you. Speaking to them can be a game changer, because you quickly realise you’re not alone.’
Women like Rushan are the voices changing the game – on and off the field.
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