Steps Enterprise CIC
Steps Enterprise CIC
What People Say
Joining Urban Stars was more than simply returning to netball, it reignited a passion and a part of my identity that I once thought I had to leave behind in my youth due to certain obligations. The club gave me a space where I could enjoy the sport I loved in an all female environment, without feeling limited in my ability to experience everything that netball has to offer. Beyond the game itself, it was the laughter on and off the court, the countless trips, gatherings, tournaments, sports days, picnics, and barbecues, and the opportunities to compete while celebrating both netball achievements and milestones in people's personal lives that made Urban Stars truly special. The bonds formed through these experiences turned teammates into cherished friendships that became like family. The club gave me the opportunity and encouragement to grow professionally, support others in their development, and share my passion for netball in ways I never thought possible, while strengthening my confidence, resilience, and sense of belonging. What stood out most was the sense of community. Positivity, good intentions, and mutual respect formed the foundation of Urban Stars, creating an environment where what happened on the court stayed on the court and everyone genuinely wanted the best for one another. The individuals who ran the club provided unwavering support, both personally and within the sport, helping players develop their skills, expand their knowledge of the game, and grow in confidence both on and off the court. Urban Stars has brought together different generations, with daughters, nieces, and sisters growing up watching their mothers and female relatives represent the club from the sidelines before eventually stepping onto the same court themselves. Their dedication to overcoming challenges and setbacks reflected the courage and resilience that so many individuals developed through being part of the club. No matter the distance or the time apart, the doors have always felt open. Allahumma Baarik. May Allah protect and persevere the club and continue to benefit the people upon afiyah
RUQAYYAH
Community Member
Asalaamualaikum wa rahmatullahi What I have enjoyed the most is that even though I have travelled back and forth over the years, whenever I returned to play, I always felt like I was still part of the team and the sisterhood. That feeling of belonging and being welcomed back really stood out to me. Something that has also had a real impact on me personally is how Netball helped me after my mum passed away. At that time, I didn’t really feel like socialising or being around people much, but coming to play gave me a way of still feeling connected without feeling like I had to socialise too much. I could just turn up, play, have a laugh and be around the sisters, and it really helped me. ❤️ Also umm Lishan mentioned how Urban Stars started as more of a mother-and-daughter thing, but I really feel it has grown into something so much more. I think it is such a beautiful social space for the young girls in our community too. It gives them an opportunity to meet other girls, make friendships, be active and feel part of a positive community. 🩷 I also think it would be lovely to have more friendly games, perhaps every couple of months, for those who would like to play without having to commit to a league. It would be a lovely way to keep everyone connected. Jazakillahu khairan for everything you have done over the years. May Allah put barakah in the next decade of Urban Stars and allow it to continue benefiting many more sisters and young girls in our community, Ameen. 🤲🏼❤️
NADIA
Volunteer
Salamoualaykoum wa rahmattoulah wa barakattuh is Hafida. I'm responding to your message, which put the broad in my eye 😢. Urban stars brought me only good memories that I will never forget Subhannallah. When I think of you, I laugh at all these moments spent together and at the same time I am sad not to relive all his things with you. This fraternity, the love we have between us, solidarity, everything I miss. Urban Stars has brought a lot to my life and for all this I am grateful. Your mom and the netball sisters can be proud of what they've done. May Allah reward them for their time and effort. I miss this atmosphere and will remain engraved in my heart forever. JazakAllahoukheyr Love You Sisters Hafida
HAFIDA
Sports Program Participant
My journey at Urban Stars over the last nine years ( has it been 9 though ) ? has been so much more than just netball. It’s been a place of growth, healing, resilience, and sisterhood. Have there been moments where I wanted to give up, absolutely, but through some of my highest highs and lowest lows, Urban Stars has always been a safe space where I knew I would be met with kindness, encouragement, laughter, and support. There have been seasons in my life when I’ve carried a great deal of sadness, and during those times, netball became so much more than a game. It gave me a reason to get up 🥹 The memories we’ve created together are ones I’ll carry with me forever. Some of my happiest moments have been on that court, surrounded by sisters who became so much more than teammates. The trust, love, and genuine care we’ve built over the years is something incredibly special and not easily found. Truly grateful for being apart of this amazing family ❤️❤️
anonymous
Youth Advocate
Although I have not been playing for a few years now, I wanted to say something as Urban Stars is and always will be very much in my heart. Some of you know me, and some of the newer players may not. But I joined Urban Stars not long after it was first founded. I was not into sport for most of my life, but as soon as I joined I quickly discovered how much I enjoyed playing netball and also discovered my competitive side - which I didn’t realise I even had 😳 I played mostly GA and GS, and towards the end of my “sporting career” 😜- I discovered the very underrated (but valuable) position of WD! However, like every sports professional (that’s how I like to view it 😎) I was prone to injuries: ankle sprains, shin splints, one ACL and then the other ACL, which is what finally stopped me playing. In the early days of Urban Stars I also had the privilege to help out on the creative side of things, from the logo to the hoodies and the little bits and pieces along the way. It was lovely to be part of building the identity of something that has grown into what it is now. I was there for the first women's league win- Remember that ladies? What a win!!! 🏆 We were the ungerdogs but we defo rose to the occasion! However, for me it was never about the league. It was the love of netball, playing in a safe enjoyable environment and above all the sisterhood. The banter and jokes we had along the way, the agreements AND disagreements, the wins and the losses, the talk-back to the umpires, was and always will be part of the club, but ultimately its the togetherness and knowing that we are sisters on and off the court. Alhamdulillah Urban Stars has evolved over the years, players have come and gone, the club has grown stronger, with more wins and losses within the leagues AllahumaBaarek - Urban Stars has been building its own legacy and it has clearly been in very good hands! Syreete- for all the things you do behind the scenes, which I know is a lot, and which the club members don’t see, the work you do in (and out of) hours is truly remarkable! You are the backbone of this club and I know you have had times where you have wanted to “hang up your netball boots” so to speak, but you kept going, not for yourself, but for everyone else in the club and what this brings to the community! May Allah reward you and all those that have aided you in building the club to what it is now- Aameen Maybe one day I will return 🫣 (don’t tell Hafsah) but even if I don't, I still feel part of the club and pray for its every success for the next decade, and even longer. JazakumaAllahu khayran for everything you have built. 🩷
HOURIA
Member
I guess whenever I think about netball there's this warm feeling 💘💘 seriously sisterhood couldn't describe it better Pushing my physical ability and getting competitive with the fam 😏❤️❤️ learning many tactics and techniques 🙂↔️✨ Something to look forward to in the week 🫠🫠
SUMAYYAH
Member
When I first started I was nervous and was still new to netball so it was my only social thing I was doing before so I looked forward to it and I slowly felt I became part of the sisterhood so it became more that just a sport I have felt comfortable coming.
Ammarah
Member
Having fun and staying fit at the same time. The sisterhood stood out to me the most as I wasn't aware there was one prior to netball. Also, bring able to play comfortably in a all female environment and not have to worry about covering and feeling hot and uncomfortable. I love the tournaments and having something to be excited for each week. The training and coaching really helped me improve at netball. I didn't know much about it before I joined.
AISHA
Member
The Sisterhoood definitely and being spidy in the air How much you can grow as a person through a team sport Improve physical and mental health and working in a team 💕
maryam
Member
For me, I love that we can get together and let our hair down. I look forward to coming and being able to come together with sisters, and also some of whom I really gel with and are dear to me, and you all are dear to me. Having this opportunity, to be present and play a game together, share jokes, smiles, laughter, even frustration.. I'm grateful for that. Also, I have the opportunity to play the game that I very much love. I was an active netball player at 14 and played in an adult team within a Bimingham league. I thought I lost the opportunity to play for many years 20 plus years, as there were no sessions for muslim women that I knew of. Where could I play and be able to remove my hijab and be free from men? Urban Stars being there, brought that back for me, and for many others. Walhamdulilah. Maa sha Allah Allahumma baarik. Thank you all for this. What impacted me? During the long years that I ceased playing netball, I went through moments of really needing something to help with life's difficulties. I was concerned for myself and health as I found myself not in the best health. I became tired a lot just doing simple chores at home. I was not getting any exercise so small things became a lot of burden. Mentally, I didn't give myself a break from anything. Day to day battles. Just going through. I can now see how much my life and health has improved walhamdulilah, daily activities have become better. I feel better with myself having sport and excerise now where I didn't have any before.
fatima
Member