Holte High School in Birmingham celebrated National School Sports Week 2026 by encouraging Muslim girls to participate in sport, combining practical activities with conversations around inclusion, confidence, and breast health.
Sports Carousel and Role Models
Students in Year 7 made their way around a carousel of sports including boxing, netball, archery, golf, and football. Team GB weightlifter Noorin Gulam joined the action, sharing her journey as a second-generation South Asian immigrant ahead of her second Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The circuit was overseen by fellow students in Years 8, 9, and 10, before teachers led discussions on barriers to participation for Muslim girls and the importance of sports bras.
Importance of PE and Sport
Ali Oliver MBE, CEO of the Youth Sport Trust, said: "PE must have the end goal of everyone finding exercise and sport they enjoy and that they importantly understand why movement and physical activity is essential. Society needs PE and sport lessons more than ever before. Mental wellbeing, while developing life and employability skills, is a real challenge for young people leaving school – building those values of teamwork, resilience, communication, and respect for others."
Oliver added: "We know that sport has a disproportionate impact on young people's experience of school. There are some children for whom the day they have their boots in their bag is the best day of the week, and for some it’s their worst. 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."
Partnership with Sports Direct and Everlast
Delivered in partnership with Sports Direct for the fourth year, this year Sports Direct’s Everlast brand also supported the campaign, with boxing superstar Conor Benn fronting it. The campaign is themed around This Summer of Sport, including the men’s football World Cup, Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup, Wimbledon, and the Commonwealth Games.
Throughout the week, schools hosted events with free, inclusive resources, including a Commonwealth Games circuit, retro playground games, football-themed activities, and a boxing-themed Conor Benn Destroyer Circuit. Sports Direct donated 500 equipment packs to registered schools, and along with Everlast, donated 65 sports bras worth almost £2,000 to Holte High School to support breast health.
Student Perspectives
Surayya, 14, a Sport Leader who plays goal defence for the netball team, said: "It was fun because when I was in Year 7, I feel like there weren’t as many opportunities as possible for Muslim girls. I’ve always wanted change for Muslim girls. Today makes me feel so proud, from the bottom of my heart."
Amina presented cultural barriers that the FA and Nike’s ‘Improving PE for Muslim Girls’ campaign, in association with Youth Sport Trust and the Muslim Sports Foundation, aim to break down. She said: "When I play sport, when I run around, I forget all the things I worry about. I run around when I need to relax."
Girls' PE teacher Haseena Aktar encouraged pupils to approach breast health with adults and older siblings during puberty and highlighted the importance of sports bras.
About Youth Sport Trust
The Youth Sport Trust is a UK leading children’s charity improving young people's wellbeing through sport and play. Founded in 1995, it works with around 20,000 schools and inspires Changemakers to build a sense of belonging. Its vision is a future where every child enjoys the life-changing benefits of play and sport.
