Chelsea Women has partnered with Brown Girl Sport to establish a new supporters’ club aimed at fostering inclusivity.
The Women of Colour Supporters Club was unveiled during Brown Girl Sport’s third anniversary event held at Stamford Bridge last week, coinciding with Chelsea’s match against Arsenal in the Women’s Super League.
A representative from Chelsea Women remarked, “Brown Girl Sport plays a vital role in uniting communities and advocating for South Asian women and girls in the realm of sports.”
Founded by Miriam Walker-Khan, Brown Girl Sport serves as an online hub for South Asian women passionate about both watching and participating in sports, while also highlighting professional athletes from similar backgrounds.
Walker-Khan, a former athlete and sports journalist, initiated this platform to give voice to women in this demographic after noticing a lack of representation in their narratives.
“I wasn’t encountering the stories of South Asian women in sports anywhere,” Walker-Khan shared. “These narratives are filled with resilience and empowerment, yet South Asian women in the UK are often depicted as submissive or oppressed. I aimed to illuminate the remarkable women who excel in sports.”
Layla Banaras, a player for Lewes FC and a Pakistan international, expressed to the BBC that “when young girls witness Asian professional athletes thriving, it inspires them to believe that they can achieve similar success. If they can see it, they can envision themselves in that role.”
Sarah, a youth player at FC Leytonstone, shared her pride in being part of the Brown Girl Sport community, stating, “If I attain something significant, I have the potential to be a role model for someone else.”
Research from Sport England indicates that Asian girls often feel disconnected from sports, with confidence and representation being significant hurdles. Black girls encounter similar challenges, with merely 36% meeting recommended activity levels.
When planning events like football watch parties, Brown Girl Sport considers these barriers, opting for more inclusive venues rather than traditional pub settings that may not be accommodating for some Muslim women.
During the recent event, a henna station emerged as a popular gathering spot before the match and during halftime.
The organization has also recently introduced a new group of athlete ambassadors, including Naomi Dattani, Lucindha Lawson, Asmita Ale, Eden Silva, and Layla Banaras.
Recent research underscores the extent of Asian under-representation in sports, with Sky Sports reporting that out of 37,000 male football players in the UK, only 22 identified as South Asian. At the grassroots level, South Asian women account for just 11.4% of players.
