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Saima Hussain, rugby player and sports development officer

My story...

Saima is employed by St Lukes Care as a sports development officer, working in 5 schools in Leeds. She has played rugby since the age of 16 and is a member of the England women’s rugby league team.

How did you get involved in sport?
When I was growing up, most of the family around me were boys and I played cricket with them. My PE teacher recognised that sport came naturally to me and encouraged me to get involved in clubs. He was quite an inspiration – like a second dad to me. I started off running and I absolutely loved it and did quite well.

How did your family feel about it?
We were the only Asians in the school and my dad encouraged me take part in sport and out of school clubs in order to fit in. He preferred me to be doing things with the school in the evenings, rather than hanging out on the streets.
My parents taught us to work hard and play hard and that is what I believe in.

They worry that I get battered and bruised playing rugby, but they support my choice.

What made you choose rugby?
When I got to 13 or 14, it was ok doing athletics at school but not in a stadium where everybody can see you. It was hard to explain to my teacher that the clothes weren’t appropriate. I chose to go into rugby, where you can wear cycling shorts and long socks. I am a fast runner so that helps.

What was it like for you starting out?
Most of the young people who are involved in sport, you find their parents come from a sporting background and have a passion for it. It is harder trying to break in on your own.

When I started in athletics, it was more for middle class people. I never had flash this and flash that. I was the only one wearing trainers, because I couldn’t afford spikes. There is also the cost of trips to matches all over the country. It can be a very expensive hobby.

How does the rugby fit in with your job?
Playing amateur sport, you have to work as well to earn a living. Less money goes into women’s sport so it is nearly all amateur. Employers can be funny if you get injured at the weekend. I dislocated my shoulder once in training and was off work for a while.

What would you say to girls like you who are good at sport?
You can get where you want. There’s no such thing in Islam as saying that girls cannot participate in sport. When I work with Asian girls in school, I let them wear tracksuit bottoms. There are lots who are gifted and talented. My mission is to get more Asian kids into sport and then I can retire. I want to understand what stops them.