Our Story
Hijabi Ballers was founded in 2017 by Amreen Kadwa, a 21-year-old Muslim woman who had spent much of her life loving sports and her most recent years playing rugby. While she loved the game, she often felt alone—rarely seeing role models who looked like her: hijab-wearing women in the rugby space. After a sports injury left her sidelined, that sense of disconnection deepened.
As she spoke with other Muslim women athletes, a pattern emerged: many had similar stories of exclusion, navigating cultural stigma, and not fully belonging in the sports they loved. Amreen knew something had to change.
To hear stories of others with similar experiences, she made a simple Facebook post asking to connect with other Muslim female athletes in Toronto. Within two days, she was connected with more than 75 women. That moment made it clear that a community and network like Hijabi Ballers was absolutely needed.
Soon after, the first Hijabi Ballers Sports Festival brought together over 200 participants, showcasing the powerful presence and passion of Muslim women and girls in sport. That event confirmed what many already knew: Muslim women athletes have always been here—what they needed was a space built for them.
From that spark, Hijabi Ballers has grown into a non-profit organization that empowers Muslim girls and women by creating high-quality, sustainable, safe, and inclusive sport experiences. Our programs support both athletic and leadership development, nurturing not only confident athletes but strong community leaders and advocates.
