This case study and evaluation of a Digital Storytelling (DST) workshop for young women identifies the strengths, limits and challenges of transformational feminist leadership development within sport for development programmes (SDP). Based on postcolonial feminist approaches and empirical evidence, the findings demonstrate how leadership development for girls and young women from the Global South is possible through the technique of DST, but only if it is done while remaining mindful of power relations and cross-cultural differences. Evidence reveals insights around the prominence of ‘authentic’ stories and the understanding of leadership development within SDP interventions. In addition, we consider some of the dilemmas and opportunities posed in the particular use of DST and leadership programmes within SDP. Lastly, the case study argues to improve the understanding of how and why sport and gender intersect with cross-cultural leadership, narrative identity and DST practices. This implies the need to strongly engage and collaborate with girls and young women from the Global South: designing programmes with them, not for them.
