In a league of their own

Farah and Aalia Mohammed play netball. Photo / Michelle Hyslop

They've got bibs, balls and hoops. But one South Auckland netball league has different goals from other Saturday morning competitions throughout the country.

There are no skirts, no bare legs, no music - and definitely no boys courtside.

Tasneem Mohammed set up the Muslimah Sports Association to give women a chance to participate in a netball competition that meets their interpretation of Muslim concerns.

More than 50 netballers play in a private gymnasium at Zayed College, Manurewa. Outside female teams are invited to compete.

The sports association, which also offers swimming and volleyball, has operated for some time but has agreed to media coverage for the first time in today's Aucklander.

Tasneem's daughters, Farah and Aalia, played for five years in the Karaka netball league. However, the need for a separate competition arose when the girls were expected to wear short skirts.