Scholarship students join Solent in championing women in football

Khadija Kazmi and Saima Baig are the two successful scholars now studying for their masters in Football Science at Solent, with ambitions to bring more women onto the pitch both in their home country of Pakistan and further afield.

The Chevening Scholarship, run by the Government, supports international students seeking to create positive change to study in the UK. With an estimated acceptance rate of jut 3%, Khadija and Saima were chosen for their leadership potential and ambition. Chris Neville, Senior Lecturer Football Science at Solent, says:

"When we received Khadija and Saima's applications, we were incredibly impressed with their energy and drive to develop opportunities for girls and women to participate in football in Pakistan. Through our MSc Football Science programme, we are honoured that they have chosen Solent to support them in the next part of this journey, and the global development of women's football."

Both Khadija and Saima are part of Southampton Solent University's Women in Football Network, formed to enhance inclusion in the sport. Recognising that women are still a minority in football, the network prioritises the voices of female students across all stages of their study, as well as university staff, and celebrates the success of women in the game.

The group forms part of Solent's football programme, which has an excellent reputation nationally. Dr Kim Wilcox, Interim Course Leader Apprenticeship in Sport, says:

"Solent's Women in Football Network serves as a means to connect female students and staff, celebrating their potential as champions for change in matters such as awareness, visibility and male allyship. We've had a busy semester so far, putting together plans for an end of semester roundtable event exploring the topic of 'male allies in the women's game'.

"Through this event, our primary aim is to raise awareness amongst our largely male cohort of their role and potential as powerful allies who can support the growth and recognition of women's football."

Khadija first discovered football in secondary school, playing for fun with boys in her year. As she grew older, she realised that the options for women to develop and grow their expertise in football were limited in Pakistan, and she wanted to challenge that. In 2010, at 19, Khadija co-founded the country's first women's division in a local men's club, and her career has gone from strength to strength since then, paving the way for women in football.

Now, Khadija is studying at Solent in a bid to learn more about the UK's football industry and use that knowledge to create positive change for women in Pakistan. She says:

"Football is an ever-evolving force, and the chance to return to the classroom and dive deeper into its complexities is both a privilege and a dream realised. To be in a country leading the charge for women's football, and at a university dedicated to empowering more women to get involved, feels like the perfect culmination - definitely the cherry on top!"

For Saima, it's about empowering girls and women to pursue their sporting dreams. Having found independence and opportunity through playing, Saima hopes others can experience the same. Following her masters, Saima will take what she learns at Solent back to Pakistan to become an inspiring leader in the sport. She says:

"Football wasn't just a game; it was my passport to a world of possibilities. I'm determined to use this opportunity to break barriers and inspire a generation of young Pakistani women to chase their dreams."

Solent is committed to championing women in sport, whether it's through their Sports Excellence Programme - which supports early-career athletes - or enhancing facilities on campus to ensure everyone has the opportunity to take part in sporting activities. The University is also a proud partner of Southampton Football Club and works collaboratively to develop opportunities in the women's game.

Solent's Football Science degree is unique in that it is made for both professionals and those aspiring to work in the sport. With links to industry, students are invited to develop their existing knowledge and take the next step forward in enhancing their career.