At Think Beyond, we are incredibly proud of our role in the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award (BJKYLA).

A collaborative effort between ESPN and the Billie Jean King Foundation, the Awards were established in 2019 to recognize and empower young leaders who are harnessing the transformative power of sport to address pressing societal challenges in their communities.

This initiative is one of our longest standing projects and embodies the very essence of sport’s power to change the world – when it is used with intention.

Last week in Tampere, Finland, at Play The Game 2025 – an international conference aiming to strengthen the ethical foundation of sport and promote democracy, transparency and freedom of expression in sport – we had a full circle moment.

One of this year’s BJKYLA national honorees – Rishin Tandon from Washington State, U.S. – took to the stage to present his very own research: “The Evolution of Sustainability Initiatives in FIFA World Cups: From 2018 Russia to 2026 North America.”

Rishin also shared insights on his YESS-The Youth Eco Sports Scorecard initiative, which he founded after discovering that there is no clear framework to measure or guide sustainability in youth sports, despite over 70 million kids playing organised sports in the U.S. alone.

We proudly state that BJKYLA is more than just an accolade; it’s an investment in the next generation of leaders who are using their voices and passion to make a difference.

Rishin is a shining example of this investment.

We are incredibly proud of what he has already achieved at such a young age and excited at what the future holds as he continues to challenge the status quo and inspire a better future for us all.

For more information about our work with The Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award click here.

To understand our work related to Impactful Programmes and our broader range of services, please contact simon.lucey@thinkbeyond.consulting.