On Monday 22nd January 2018 Rotherham United community Sports Trust hosted a “Celebration of Women in Sport” event at the ASSEAL New York Stadium.
The event was a follow on from the “Women’s voice in sport conference” hosted by the Trust in October 2017, and part of the Back To Sport project that aims to engage BME adults in sport.
In 2017 the project engaged with 680 people, 414 of these were female. The event was organised by Inclusion Officer Trudi Race to celebrate individual achievements but to also congratulate the women on facing and overcoming barriers and for putting themselves first to live a healthier and happier life.
Trudi Race said “Most of these women were doing little or no exercise at all and are now participating in sport at least once a week, some even 5 times a week. The confidence these women have gained is incredible, they are so motivated and great role models to the BME Communities of Rotherham. This year we will be focussing on sustainability of the sessions and looking at training up participants in the relevant sports so they can lead the sessions post funding. We have already run a First steps to coaching netball course in which 17 women attended”.
Approximately 60 BME women attended the event. Guest speakers Dana Abdulkarim (Muslim Women’s Sport Foundation) and Halima Khan (Opening boundaries) told of their journey in to sport and touched on subjects such as gender equality and the rhetoric of Muslims in society. Both lectures were received well by the ladies and left the room full of inspiration and motivation.
Trudi Race also said “This year we will be focussing on engaging more BME males in sport, particularly speaking to taxi drivers and take away workers. I would love to see the men follow in the women’s footsteps and take up some of the sporting opportunities we will be offering, it would be great to host a similar event for men at the end of the year”
If you are interested in getting involved in this project or for more detailed information please contact Trudi on 01709 827767 or email trace@rotherhamunited.net