The Swansea Mosque Women’s Multisport Programme is a pioneering collaboration between Activate West Wales, Swansea Council, the Football Association of Wales (FAW), Wales Netball and Badminton Wales. It provides a culturally appropriate, female‑only environment where women from ethnically diverse communities can take part in football, netball and other sports, many for the first time since leaving school.
Launched in October 2025, the programme has quickly become a model of inclusive practice, community‑led design and cross‑sport collaboration.
Background and inspiration
The programme began when Ellie Lake, Participation Officer at the FAW, and Helen Cadogan, Community Sports Co‑ordinator for Swansea Council, identified that despite strong community interest, Swansea had no dedicated sports opportunities for women from diverse backgrounds.
Consultation with women at Swansea Mosque confirmed demand for football and netball, and the Mosque’s sports hall which was equipped for five‑a‑side football and netball provided the perfect venue. Using data and community insight, they recognised the need for safe, culturally sensitive, female‑only sessions.
Helen brought in a coach and Ellie supplied football equipment to get the programme started. Innovation funding from Activate West Wales covered the cost of hiring the Mosque sports hall, buying football, netball and badminton equipment, and they are now exploring kit provision such as long‑sleeve sports tops and sports hijabs. The funding also enabled Ellie and Helen to recruit a coach and offer leadership courses, with several women now interested in completing the FAW Football Leaders Course, supported by Ellie, Helen and the coaching team.
This insight‑driven approach shaped the programme’s core vision, to create a welcoming, culturally appropriate space where women can enjoy sport, build confidence, and develop leadership skills.
Listening to women
As trust grew, an environment was created where the women felt able to share what they wanted to do and how they wanted to it. This opened the way for badminton. Ellie and Helen worked with Badminton Wales, who agreed to supply nets and equipment, while the shuttlecocks and racquets were provided through the Activate West Wales innovation funding.
The coaches now rotate weekly activities, offering football and netball, with badminton recently added to the activities. The women have also shown an interest in rounders which will be next on the list. This multisport approach ensures women can try new activities, build confidence, and stay engaged.
The role of the Mosques
Swansea Mosque has been central to the programme’s success. Its support ensured a culturally appropriate, female‑only environment, community trust and engagement, access to the sports hall and facilities and word‑of‑mouth promotion through families and community networks.
Sport Wales also funded new changing rooms at the Mosque, a direct result of this programme’s impact and future potential. Women from Sketty Mosque now also attend sessions, and participants have created their own WhatsApp group to organise sessions and social meet‑ups.
Positive impact
The programme has had a profound effect on the women involved. Over time, coaches have seen increased confidence, greater social connection, more willingness to try new sports, stronger friendship and leadership aspirations emerging.
Kelcy Hooper, who coached the women and girls, said: “The sessions are a great success. They are a lovely group of women who wanted to engage with sport but hadn’t had the opportunity since school. Seeing them progress and gain confidence was incredibly rewarding. At first, they were quiet but by the end they were chatty, relaxed and fully involved.”
Launching the programme
The first block of sessions ran from October 2025 to February 2026, pausing for Ramadan, before restarting in May 2026.
The programme is growing rapidly, with plans to introduce mother and child activities, more multisport options, family sessions on Friday evenings with additional weekday sessions during school holidays, and the support from Bishop Gore Young Ambassadors to inspire younger participants.
The secret to our success
The Swansea Mosque Women’s Multisport Programme offers a clear message to organisations wanting to engage ethnically diverse communities: Start with a conversation. Listen, learn and ask what women need to feel comfortable taking part. Inclusion isn’t about treating everyone the same; it’s about creating environments where everyone can participate in a way that works for them. Success comes from listening first, co‑designing sessions with the women, providing culturally appropriate spaces, being flexible with sport choices and building trust through consistent relationships.
The programme has created a safe and empowering space for women to be active and is now seen as best practice in West Wales.
