Muslim Sports Foundation

Muslim Sports Foundation

Utilising Sport England's Commonwealth Games legacy funding, the project led by England Hockey and Muslim Sports Foundation aims to give Muslim girls in Birmingham the chance to play hockey for the first time. 

Whilst these vary, cultural barriers alongside body image and confidence issues as well as financial barriers hindering travel to and from facilities, often result in low participation rates for girls from Muslim backgrounds living in urban areas. 

The project is working with local mosques and community leaders to engage with girls in inner city Birmingham and tackle the barriers they face to accessing sport and physical activity. 

Yasmin Hussain from the Muslim Sports Foundation commented on the success and popularity of the sessions, saying:

"The sessions have proved to be very popular with the community and we have had amazing feedback from parents and girls. Sessions like these emphasise our mission which is 'every child, deserves every opportunity, at every sport.' The girls have thoroughly enjoyed coming every week with passion and enthusiasm and it is the collaboration between Muslim Sports Foundation and England Hockey that has enabled it to be a success."

Local coaches have been delivering a free weekly hockey session since the summer at Small Heath Wellbeing Centre. A group of 36 girls aged between 8 and 18 have enjoyed accessing the sessions and learning how to play hockey.

Coach Christine Dalby-Ali has shared why this project is so important to her and the impact it is having on the girls attending:

"It's been wonderful to be involved in this project and to see the girls improve so quickly. It's always lovely to see them running to get to the session on time and desperate to collect their sticks and balls. As a Muslim myself, it's a joy to share the sport I love with other Muslims and see the enjoyment of playing hockey on their faces every week."

Expanding the Programme - Wakefield

On 31 July 2023, England Hockey alongside Muslim Sports Foundation and supported by Sunnah Sports and local mosques Al Markaz Wakefield and GMI delivered a hockey taster session to 40 Muslim girls between the age of 5-11 from around the Wakefield area.

The day gave the girls an opportunity to have fun, be active and pick up a hockey stick for the first time. Learning about hockey and developing their confidence and skills through the a variety of practices and games.

Next Steps  

To find out more about the reach and impact of these sessions, please click on the right hand links to see our project delivery infographic.

England Hockey will continue to work with Muslim Sports Foundation to identify new areas of the country to roll out further schemes and initiatives.