Beyond PE - A Interview series

Growing up I didn't see women in sport who looked like me, Nether did a lot of my muslim friends. It meant that I played but never seriously considered turning pro, let alone seek out the different pathways that would get me there. Later on it was brought to my attention that even if I had I wouldn't have been allowed to play. With bans on headgear over 5cm in basketball and similar bands in football and other sports. that world was closed off to us. it made sense now why we didnt see anyone who looked like us. Thankfully through a lot of campaigning by muslim athletes and my self many sports have now overturned those bands.

I thought thats when I could relax and won't need to advocate for more inclusivity in sport. but that was just the beginning. The effects of decades of bans means that we still don't have the representation we need to encourage more muslim girls to take up sport. Realising this, I came up with the idea to create a series called Beyond PE. In the series I interview muslim women that play sport at different levels, from different backgrounds and countries. In the hopes that through hearing their stories more young girls and women will begin to see sport as a lifestyle that can be continued after leaving school after its no longer compulsory for them to do so.

In the first episode I interview my dear friend and neighbour Ezdihar who also plays basketball. After having her first baby she is getting back to playing sports again, because she believes that it's important for children to see their mothers pursuing their passion for sport.

Are you a mother and an athlete? what challenges and benefits have you found from continuing sports after having children? and what changes would you like to see in sport to cater for the needs of female athletes. I would love to continue the conversation in the comments to raise more awareness of the needs of female athletes.

In the meantime you can checkout my interview with Ezdihar and many others in the link above and share with others you think would benefit from it.

Best Wishes - Asma Elbadawi