Team England weightlifter Noorin Gulam is using her platform to inspire more Muslim girls to discover the benefits of sport, sharing her own journey at National School Sports Week. The 30-year-old from Hayes, London, spoke at Holte High School in Birmingham, where she encouraged Muslim girls to participate in physical activity.
Breaking Barriers in Sport
Gulam, who is preparing for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow starting in less than three weeks, said: “It was super important for me to be involved in this event, promoting sport for Muslims, because I definitely think it’s an underrepresented group of women in sport.” She highlighted the challenges she faced as a young athlete, including navigating cultural and familial expectations.
“As a Muslim woman, navigating sport was quite challenging when you push through those barriers from within your family and in your area. It’s not until you make it somewhere that you get their support,” Gulam added.
Role of School Support
Gulam, who also works as a brand manager, credited her school for providing the foundation for her success. “If it wasn’t for my school providing me with the facilities, equipment and coaching I wouldn’t be where I am. That work starts at the grassroots,” she said. She noted that her family initially did not consider sport important, but school support helped her persevere.
“Maybe they couldn’t provide financially, as one of four, but they also didn’t understand the benefits, so I’ve always pitted sport against studying, or against my career,” she explained.
Event Activities
During National School Sports Week, Year 7 students at Holte High School participated in a carousel of sports including boxing, netball, archery, golf, and football. Gulam joined in the activities, demonstrating her commitment to inspiring the next generation.
She emphasized the importance of exercise for women: “We live in a digital age, so being outside and being active is incredibly important and it’s needed to stay healthy and fit. I also think as women, exercise is even more important. The role we have in society - bearing children and so on - if we are fit and healthy, we are able to look after ourselves and those around us.”
Partnerships and Donations
The event was delivered in partnership with Sports Direct for the fourth year, with Everlast supporting the campaign. Boxing star Conor Benn fronted the campaign, themed around “This Summer of Sport,” which includes events like the men’s football World Cup, Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup, Wimbledon, and the Commonwealth Games.
Sports Direct donated 500 equipment packs to registered schools and, with Everlast, contributed 65 sports bras worth nearly £2,000 to Holte High School to support girls’ breast health.
Youth Sport Trust CEO Speaks
Ali Oliver MBE, CEO of the Youth Sport Trust, echoed Gulam’s sentiments: “Society needs PE and sport lessons more than ever. Mental wellbeing, while developing life and employability skills, is a real challenge for young people leaving school – building values of teamwork, resilience, communication, respect of others.”
Oliver added: “If we can make sure that young people come to PE lessons, they are given a voice and the choice for freedom, fun and connection with the environment.” The Youth Sport Trust is a leading children’s charity that works with around 20,000 schools to improve wellbeing through sport and play.
