A Bradford football club - where nearly half of its senior women's team wear a Hijab - is inspiring more girls and women to get on the pitch.
After two years of matches, success is already on the cards for Athletico Football Club's senior women’s team.
The team has a strong group of players and more women signing up to join the ranks.
In the 2022 season, the senior women’s team reached the final of the West Riding County Football League.
Now, Athletico Football Club has now received its first ever sponsorship.
Ikra Ali, women’s football coach and player at Athletico Football Club, said: “Football is for everyone no matter your background.
“Wearing a Hijab and coming from a South Asian background where football is seen to be a male sport has challenged and opened my community's perspective of women in sports. We are slowly seeing a rise in ethnic minority women coming forward.
“Football brings communities together and gives empowerment."
The 2023 Women’s World Cup has seen the first Hijab wearing football player, Nouhaila Benzina for Morocco take the international stage.
“Seeing the first Hijab wearing woman has inspired more girls and women to come out and play," Ikra said.
“It shows you don’t have to look a certain way to be able to play football.
“I’d say 50 per cent of our team wears a hijab and when we go to play other teams, we get looks but people respect us, and it’s positive.
“We wear what we’re obligated to wear and we just play, we don’t let it hold us back.”
The team is always looking for more players and hopes to see some of its up-and-coming stars represent the country nationally.
She said: “We’ve definitely got some good players, and this is just a stepping stone for them. We hope they’ll be playing at a much higher level when they’re a little older."
The club's four teams - a senior womens' team, two senior mens' teams and junior's team - have all been sponsored by Rimmington’s Pharmacy ahead of their new season.
Shakeel Malik, treasurer at Athlectico Football Club, said: "Having an established Bradford Company like Rimmington's pharmacy sponsoring us gives us pride and pleasure knowing they see the vision for our club as we do.
"Rimmington's putting their logo on our shirt means a lot to us."
Rimmington's director Sajid Mahmood, whose children joined Athletico Football Club, said: “The club provides personal coaching and development to people from underprivileged communities which positively affects all aspects of an individual's life.
“AFC has the vision and qualities to reach great heights."
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