Plans announced for UK’s first Muslim women’s rugby team
Richmond’s Zainab Alema, the first visibly Muslim woman to play in the premiership, hopes to launch Muslimah Rugby in the summer
Richmond rugby player Zainab Alema has announced plans to launch what could become the UK’s first Muslim women’s team in the sport, with a 10-a-side debut fixture expected in London later this summer.
Alema, who plays as a loose-head prop with the south-west London team, said her goal was to create a dedicated space for Muslim women in a sport where they remain underrepresented.
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It is a shift from playing to building something more lasting. She is the first visible Muslim woman to play in the Premiership Women’s Rugby competition, the top level in England — but health challenges have pushed her to think beyond her own playing career.
“The buck cannot stop with me,” she said. “Now that I’m not playing in the premiership at the moment, there’s no one else. I need to build something that hopefully will open doors for other Muslim women to climb up the ladder.”
The team, set to be called Muslimah Rugby, is in its early stages. Alema plans to launch the team in the summer with a friendly match against Black Girls Ruck — a group creating space for Black women in rugby. She hopes to recruit up to 20 players who will rotate on and off the pitch to maximise participation.
Asked about concerns that a Muslim women’s team could be seen as divisive, Alema said it would serve as an entry point rather than a divide.
“I don’t think any two communities experience things the same way,” she said. “If you call yourself a Muslim, you’re a woman, and you love rugby, or you want to get into rugby, this space is for you. We support you and we want to celebrate you.”
Her own experience in rugby has shaped her approach. She described feeling isolated in the sport, particularly as a Black, hijab-wearing Muslim woman in a male-dominated sport — something she hopes the team will address by fostering a sense of belonging.
“If I can get more women to pick up a rugby ball because of this team,” she said, “it’s a win-win situation for the rugby community as a whole.”
Announcing the team on 10 April on Instagram, Alema — who had no budget for the project — called for not only players but also kit sponsors, photographers and videographers, brands and community supporters.
“I’ve been inundated with messages,” said Alema. “Now I think my issue is actually going through the messages and deciding who I want to be a part of it all, which is a fantastic place to be in.”
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She is currently in talks with potential sponsors and venues, stressing the importance of working with partners who align with the team’s values. There has also been early interest from rugby’s governing body, the Rugby Football Union, with representatives approaching Alema to ask how they can support the project, and she has the backing of her club, Richmond RFC.
Looking ahead, Alema’s ambitions for the group are not limited to a single match. She hopes to build a pathway into the sport, with training sessions, future fixtures and even international connections.
“The plans I have for this thing are huge,” she said. “I want us to be able to go on tour and do it in a halal way.”
For those unsure whether they belong in the sport, her message is clear: “Come and join. Even if you feel you’re not a rugby player, you’ll still have a space.”
Alema spoke on stage at the Hyphen Festival in November, where she highlighted barriers to access for Muslim women in sport — including funding and lack of inclusive spaces.
