With only 40% of Muslim girls in mainstream schools saying they feel comfortable participating in physical activity, England Football has partnered with Nike to release a new campaign to break down the barriers that prevent Muslim girls from engaging in football.
Further insight shows that 40% of Muslim girls in faith schools see football as a male sport, while 61% say that others around them consider football a male sport – a mindset that can discourage them from even giving it a go. To challenge this perception and show Muslim girls that football is a space where they belong, the campaign launched with a powerful video shared across the England Football social media platforms, celebrating the power of inclusion and representation in the sport.
At the heart of the film are trailblazing Muslim women who are paving the way for the next generation. Among them are Jawahir Roble, the first female Muslim referee to wear a hijab, Maria Maleh, a creative director, stylist and co-founder of grassroots women’s club Hamster FC in London, and Sabah Ali, founder of FC Leytonstone’s girls’ football programme who campaigns for the inclusion of South Asian women and girls in football. The video shows Muslim girls that there are women who look like them in football.
While the interest is clear – 56% of Muslim girls in faith schools who have never played say they find it an appealing option – societal barriers and access continue to limit their involvement. To help address these issues, England Football has worked with experts including the Youth Sport Trust and the Muslim Sports Foundation to create practical resources for schools. This includes a top tips guide, an educational flipbook, and training workshops designed to help educators and coaches build more inclusive PE environments for Muslim girls.
The campaign will run under The FA’s Made for this Game platform, launched to champion equal opportunities and show that football is a sport where every woman and girl – regardless of age, background, ability, race, or motivation – belongs. Made for this Game aims not only to inspire participation but to shift perceptions and remove the barriers that continue to hold women and girls back from football.
With thanks to the FA
