Muslim female participation roaring

Amna Karra-Hassan started the Auburn Tigers women’s AFL team after she discovered the game during a work exercise as a member of the Australian Federal Police three years ago.

She was immediately surprised at how popular the idea was among her community.

“I didn’t know what [Aussie Rules] was until we started playing in 2011, so only one or two people in our team knew how to play the game,” she told Channel 7 breakfast program Sunrise.

“Girls who I never expected to play footy came down [to join] and… the rest is history!”

This is the first sport for many of the girls and many of the girls were unaware of AFL rules: “I didn’t even know what footy was…” Walae Chehade told Sunrise when the team was featured earlier this week.

Teammate Laila Ibrahim said she was a soccer player prior to joining the Tigers, but was convinced by her group of friends to try AFL.

“All my friends joined AFL, and everyone shifted over,” she said “I didn’t play the first year… but the second year they reeled me in and now I’m loving it.”

Karra-Hassan says the team allows people of all skills to participate, and that their priority is to ensure that playing is an enjoyable experience.

“It is about being a team, it’s not about the superstars of football because everyone does their part,” she said.

“That’s why I love that it’s such a team sport and it’s very disciplined.”

Their local AFL team, the GWS GIANTS was also on hand to lend some expertise, with exciting young player Dylan Shiel full of praise for the team.

“They come from a multicultural community with lots of diversity,” Shiel said.

“It’s just really good to see AFL being played out here with the girls.”

The team plays in the AFL Sydney Women’s competition, a two-tiered competition that has 12 teams competing each week.

The team’s progress has earned them a three-year sponsorship with an Islamic wealth company. Auburn is located in Sydney’s south west and is home to one of the largest Islamic communities.

Click here to watch the full Sunrise segment

Click here for more information on how you can join the Auburn Tigers AFL club.

Photo from the Daily Telegraph