Sports England are a government organisation responsible for growing and developing grassroots sport and getting more people active across England. In one of their research papers they have amassed data that suggests that the Muslim women and young girls have the lowest participation in sports activities in the country. Various obstacles have been identified in this study such as dress code, female only facilities, time availability, privacy and cultural challenges. BAME people were less likely than average to be physically active. This has remained consistent for the last 5 years.
These findings have been the premise for exploring ways to encourage this cohort into undertaking more sporting activities. Our initial approach is to help educate the masses and to provide facilities where we are able to remove some of the hurdles that prevent this group from joining in. The primary hindrance for Muslim women taking up swimming is that the facilities are not designed in a way that is culturally aligned. In general facilities lack the appropriate privacy in the changing rooms, shower areas and swimmers are open to view from the public viewing areas.
Our partnership with Sale Leisure Centre (SLC) is aimed to address some of these matters. SLC have shown great deal of professionalism and have been keen to explore options to attract women to sports. Our efforts, which have included running numerous sporting activities, has seen a positive influx of women. We have also encouraged physical activities in men where the numbers joining have been gradually increasing in various indoor sports.
