Zainab Alema is a British-Ghanaian Muslim rugby player who plays for Leicester Tigers and Richmond Women. A dedicated mother of three and former neonatal nurse, Zainab is known for breaking barriers in rugby as the first hijabi Muslim woman in the Women’s Premiership. She began playing rugby at 14, training with Ealing Trailfinders U18s, and has since made significant strides in her career.

Her accolades include winning the Sunday Times Grassroots Sports Woman of the Year in 2020, the Woman of the Future award in 2022, and the Muslim Woman Award (Sport) in 2022. In 2023, she was named a Future Leader by Rugby Blacklist.