In Rochdale, a borough with rich cultural diversity and strong community identity, one project is quietly demonstrating how sport, faith, and community engagement can come together to create meaningful change. Project Rimaya Rochdale has used archery, a sport deeply rooted in Islamic tradition, as a vehicle to increase participation, build confidence, and create new opportunities for girls, families, and wider community networks.
The project emerged following a series of conversations with Rochdale Islamic Academy for Girls (RIAG), a faith-based secondary school keen to engage more fully with the School Games offer.
School leaders highlighted a significant challenge: while many of their pupils arrive from mainstream schools with access to a broad range of sporting opportunities, those opportunities become far more limited once they enter a single sex faith school.
Traditional School Games competition models, often based around mixed sex leagues and events, proved difficult to access. Attempts to arrange fixtures with neighbouring secondary schools were unsuccessful, prompting the search for an alternative offer that could meet students’ needs while respecting the school’s ethos and structure.
The solution came in the form of Project Rimaya, an Archery GB initiative designed to engage Muslim communities, particularly girls and women of Muslim faith, using archery as a culturally relevant and inclusive activity. The word Rimaya comes from the Arabic word for archery, and the project resonates strongly within Islamic tradition.
Archery is referenced in numerous Islamic texts and is recognised as a Sunnah sport, an activity recommended by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This cultural grounding proved to be a powerful engagement tool, enabling sport to be framed not only as physical activity, but as part of a broader spiritual, cultural, and wellbeing journey.
Project Rimaya Rochdale officially launched in September 2025, with six girls from RIAG attending sessions regularly. Engagement was strong from the start; attendance was consistent, enthusiasm was high, and participants expressed interest in continuing and progressing within the sport.
The sessions ran across two school terms, offering a safe and supportive environment where the girls could develop confidence, teamwork, and physical skills. Informal feedback highlighted the importance of having an opportunity designed specifically for them, one that respected their identity while offering challenge and enjoyment.
Alongside school-based delivery, the project rapidly expanded into community settings, where its impact grew significantly.
At KYP (Kashmir Youth Project), sessions engaged 51 women and 25 men, reflecting strong cross-community interest.
At Deeplish Community Centre, 15 women aged between 50 and 90 took part, demonstrating archery’s accessibility across generations.
Perhaps most notable was delivery through BACP (Bangladesh Association & Community Project), where over 40 women and more than 30 men participated in archery sessions. This work led to an invitation to support BACP’s Pink Chai Day, an event focused on raising awareness around breast cancer and the importance of leading an active, healthy lifestyle. On the day, participants took part in archery, axe throwing, and boccia, experiencing physical activity in a supportive and socially driven environment.
Sustainability was considered early in delivery. Working with one of Archery GB’s Sport Development Officers, the project arranged for archery instructor training for school staff and local community members, which was delivered in June 2024. This training formed a key part of efforts to embed knowledge locally.
Equipment was another challenge. Initial resources were sourced from a nearby school that donated surplus equipment including bows, targets, and arrows, but this was not enough to meet growing demand. A successful £650 funding application to the Local Active Partnership (approved in November 2024) enabled the purchase of additional bows, arrows, and protective equipment. Further support came from a local archery shop, which donated leather finger tabs, and from local clubs that provided surplus equipment.
Strong links were developed with the Rochdale Company of Archers, who, alongside the School Games Organiser and a qualified archery coach, agreed to act as mentors and provide guidance where possible. While reliance on club delivery proved unrealistic due to capacity pressures, their advisory role added significant value.
Despite these positives, the project faced significant structural barriers. Leadership changes at the school, staff losses linked to the introduction of 20% VAT on private schools, and exam pressures all affected delivery. Funding applications to support equipment and workforce development have so far been unsuccessful, despite clear community demand.
Learning from these challenges, the project is now moving into a new phase. From September 2026, Project Rimaya will be trialled at Matthew Moss High School, a mainstream secondary with a high proportion of pupils from ethnically diverse communities.
A key focus moving forward will be developing young female leaders, training girls from Matthew Moss High School to support session delivery in schools and community settings. This approach builds confidence, creates relatable role models, and supports long-term sustainability.
There is also strong ambition to extend delivery into mosques and active madrassah programmes across Rochdale. With a new Active Madrassah programme planned for 2026, the opportunity to embed culturally relevant physical activity has never been timelier.
Project Rimaya Rochdale has shown that when sport is culturally relevant, community led, and flexible, it can reach audiences often excluded from traditional models. While challenges remain, the project’s success, particularly in community settings, highlights the power of listening, adapting, and working in partnership.
Archery may be an ancient sport, but in Rochdale, it is proving to be a modern tool for empowerment, inclusion, and connection.
To find out more about setting up a Project Rimaya in your area email gayle.pink@archerygb.org
