Breaking Barriers: Anisa Inspires the Next Generation Through Sport

On International Women’s Day, Coach Core is celebrating the growing number of young women entering the coaching workforce and creating positive change in their communities.

The Coach Core 2025 Impact Report revealed that 45% of Coach Core apprentices are now female, a 5% increase from the previous year. It’s a significant step forward in reaching more young people than ever before. Particularly young women, those from underrepresented backgrounds, and individuals from deprived communities who may otherwise have been excluded from opportunities in sport.

One of those young women making a difference is Anisa, a sports and activity coach from Nottingham who works with Epic Partners. Through determination, courage and a passion for helping others, Anisa is not only building a career in sport but also inspiring the next generation of girls to believe they belong in it.

Breaking Through Cultural Barriers

For Anisa, the journey into coaching wasn’t without its challenges.

“One of my biggest breakthroughs has been cultural barriers,” she explains. “It’s not always seen as normal for a woman who wears a hijab to be playing sports.”

Overcoming that perception was a pivotal moment in her journey.

“Once I came past that barrier, everything became easier,” she says.

Her experience highlights an important issue in sport: representation. For many young girls, particularly those from diverse cultural backgrounds, seeing someone who looks like them participating in sport can be the encouragement they need to get involved themselves.

Taking a Leap of Faith

Anisa’s pathway into coaching began with a simple but brave step, volunteering with Epic Partners.

“My proudest moment so far has been taking a leap of faith and volunteering,” she says. “If I didn’t do that, I don’t think I would be teaching sports or doing what I love.”

That first opportunity opened the door to a career she now finds incredibly rewarding. Today, Anisa delivers sessions in a range of schools, helping young people develop their skills, confidence and enjoyment of sport.

Growing in Confidence

Like many young coaches at the beginning of their journey, Anisa initially lacked confidence.

“From the beginning when I first started, I wasn’t as confident. I didn’t really know what to do,” she recalls.

But with support from colleagues and managers, she began to develop the skills needed to lead and plan sessions independently.

“The help from my colleagues and managers really gave me the confidence and courage to lead sessions and plan sessions in various schools.”

Confidence is one of the key skills Coach Core apprentices develop through their training, and Anisa’s journey is a perfect example of how the right support network can empower young people to thrive.

Connecting With Young People

One of the schools where Anisa coaches is a secondary school, and her age helps her connect with the students in a unique way.

“Because I’m quite young, I feel like I understand where they’re coming from,” she says. “I can relate to them.”

That relatability creates a strong connection with the students she teaches.

“They still see me as a teacher, but they can also speak to me about any problems they have.”

For many young people, having a trusted role model who understands their experiences can make a powerful difference — both in sport and in life.

A Role Model for Girls in Sport

Anisa believes her presence in sport can inspire other girls to pursue opportunities they might not have previously considered.

“I feel like I’m a great role model because girls can see that if I’ve done it, they can do it too,” she says.

Her message to them is simple but powerful: believe in yourself.

“With the support that I’m giving them, hopefully it does make a change and a difference in their lives.”

Looking to the Future

As she continues her journey in coaching, Anisa hopes to keep opening doors for others.

“My hopes and plans moving forward are to be a role model for the next generation,” she says. “I want to see them step up to where I started and then support them in what they’re doing.”

For now, her focus is on continuing to grow, seize opportunities and do what she loves.

“I just want to keep taking opportunities and carry on with what I’m doing, because I’m loving it.”

Creating Opportunities for the Next Generation

Stories like Anisa’s show the real impact of creating accessible pathways into sport and coaching. As Coach Core continues to support more young women into the industry, the future of sport looks increasingly diverse, inclusive and representative of the communities it serves.

This International Women’s Day, Anisa is a powerful reminder that when barriers are broken and opportunities are created, young women can achieve extraordinary things and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.