The SEASON Guide To Supporting And Getting Involved In Grassroots Football
L to R: Hackney Laces’ Annika, Whippets FC’s Katy, Victoria Park Vixen’s Charlotte, Frenford & MSA Women FC’s Tayyiba, and Todo WFC’s Anna-Rose
Seeing the Nike Super 5 League Limited Edition Shirt in the flesh on five Super 5 League players on the shoot last month was amazing. The black SEASON logo on the front, below the Nike swoosh and league crest, was much bigger and bolder than expected, on top of a sprawling map print of the London-based league’s home borough Hackney. ‘It’s nice to have a shirt for the league, not just our individual teams,’ notes Anna-Rose, 28, a geography teacher and Head of Year Nine who plays for Todo WFC. It looked great on her, Hackney Laces’ Annika, Whippets FC’s Katy, Victoria Park Vixens FC’s Charlotte, and Frenford & MSA Women FC’s Tayyiba, styled with wavy streetwear, denim and sneakers by Charlotte Moss. All five of them posed up a storm in the cold on Mabley Green, pausing for warm SEASON zine interviews in the back of a team member’s car. The vibe was as fun and as welcoming as any game day, with Super 5 League founder Shahid ‘Shazza’ Malji there facilitating everything as usual.
‘The black and white [of the jersey] feels universal and inclusive,’ adds Tayyiba, 23, a final year dentistry student. ‘Anyone can wear it and I think people who don’t know the league would buy it.’ Fingers crossed they do because, ultimately, this jersey was made and sold to raise money to help the league and the community around it ride out these difficult times. It’s also a monochrome momento of just how far the Super 5 League and SEASON zine have come, having both launched in 2016 with a shared goal to make football more inclusive and accessible for women and marginalised communities. The league has since surged to host 52 teams of women and non-binary people of all backgrounds and abilities across seven divisions. With notice-us kits, international tours, and charity events throughout the year as well, the Super 5 League was awarded the FA Grassroots League of the Year in 2019 and 2020.
“The black and white [of the jersey] feels universal and inclusive. Anyone can wear it and I think people who don’t know the league would buy it.”
‘Without it (grassroots football), you wouldn’t play,” says Annika, 36, bluntly when asked to define what grassroots means to her. The Spurs fan and former Leyton Orient player now plays in 11-a-side and five-a-side teams alongside her jobs personal training and creating architectural drawings. She’s right: the recent Covid-19 shutdown showed that most women’s football is considered nearer to grassroots level than the elite. Academies linked to big clubs, from QPR to Brentford, were forced shut down, and international players like Wales’ Helen Ward were unable to train if their clubs were in the tiers below the top two because due to national restrictions.
Pandemic or not, the rise and stall of grassroots football for adult women in England is unsurprising. Volunteers, local clubs and communities of all backgrounds and abilities have been coming together to play for years, and women's football participation is up 54 per cent since 2016, rising to 3.4 million in 2020 according to The Telegraph. The 2019 Women’s World Cup, which was watched on the BBC by a record 28.1 million audience, led to 260 new women’s clubs registering to play (via The Guardian).
But, almost 50 years after the ban on women playing football in England was lifted, grassroots women’s football still suffers from under-investment and under-promotion. A lack of pitches impacts a team's opportunities to train, something another Super 5 team Goal Diggers FC have been particularly vocal about. Fleur Cousens launched it in 2015, but they were only able to confirm a permanent two- hour, prime time training slot at Haggerston Pitch for 11-a-side training in September 2020. Similar stories emerge talking to Annika, Charlotte and co. Having to train on pitches or in parks with no lights, men’s teams taking all the block bookings at certain places, and the fact that the pitches and changing facilities (not ideal if you have to change there or have your period) could be better.
L to R: Victoria Park Vixen’s Charlotte, Whippets FC’s Katy, Frenford & MSA Women FC’s Tayyiba, Hackney Laces’ Annika, and Todo WFC’s Anna-Rose
Predominately white women’s teams have also been questioning their inclusion and intersectionality, in light of heightened conversations about race, sexuality and gender in wider society this year. ‘Recognising that women's football is very white, I think it’s the onus on white players to [change things],’ says Charlotte, 24, a Victoria Park Vixen and Super 5 League referee who works in finance. ‘We reflected on who we represent and we are majority white. When we had our next round of recruitment, it was about inviting BIPOC in.’ Anna Rose, whose team grew out of a men’s team Todo Ciudad F.C, reveals that Todo WFC have had diversity and inclusion training, recognising the fact that there’s no point teams becoming diverse if they aren’t a welcoming place. Katy’s team Whippets FC proudly displays the LGBTQI+ flag, like many teams in the league, to make it clear that they welcome non-binary and trans players.‘We’ve doubled the size of the team from around 15-30,’ explains the 30-year-old, who works for a fashion wholesale agency. ‘We have beginners and intermediates to give people confidence.’
In spite of everything, what really keeps the women of the Super 5 League coming back to grassroots football , besides their love of the game itself, is the empowering sense of community cultivated on and off the pitch. Tay believes her team Frenford & MSA Women are, ‘doing a really good job of encouraging women from my background. Girls like me, who are South Asian, Muslim and wear the hijab.’ She also praises the league for the way it brings women from all over London and different professions together. ‘In my field I’m stuck with medics and dentists,’ she laughs. ‘[Here] I’m meeting people from different careers.’ For Charlotte, ‘The main thing is having 30-40 hype women at times. If someone [in the Victoria Park Vixens team] is working on a project, the whole team is shouting about it on social media or in person… It’s really important off the pitch.’
“Starting is a big barrier if people don’t know where to go. It’s daunting going into a new social circle. You need awareness, funding, accessibility.”
The teams we spoke to also continue great grassroots football traditions of raising money for charity and coaching the new generation.‘We support homeless charity Shelter From The Storm,’ says Anna-Rose. ‘We do quizzes and we did a ‘Todo’ tour – transporting a ball 100km between every players house. You could run or jog to raise money and connect.’ Whippets FC took part in and promoted Football Shirt Friday for Cancer Research UK. Hackney Laces (who consistently top their league) also provide training for young girls in the area, and Annika is keen to point out that she’s still playing so the younger generation can have more opportunities than she did. ‘Katee started it with kids so she does a lot of training in Hackney,’ she says. ‘A place for the kids to play and chill and socialise. Technically, a lot of our players are actually coaches. We coach the young girls then we play.’
The benefits and progression of this scene is clear to see. So how can we stop the stall and ensure that grassroots women’s football continues to rise and gain momentum? ‘Starting is a big barrier if people don’t know where to go,’ Anna-Rose says. ‘It’s daunting going into a new social circle. You need awareness, funding, accessibility.’ Tay feels that the coaches and leadership coming from diverse backgrounds or being people you may not see playing football is part of the solution, along with diverse management boards. ‘It’s about making people feel, “they can do this as well”,’ asserts Katy of Whippets FC. ‘It’s not because “I’m good at football” or “because I’m friends with so and so”. You can just take the plunge and do it. It’s brought so much to our day-to-day lives.’
Less than half of the SEASON team actually plays grassroots football, but plenty of our friends and collaborators do, and it’s been brilliant to spotlight progress in London and beyond. When we had our issue 03: Love launch at Ace hotel in 2017, Hackney Laces founder Katee Hui, Romance FC founder Trisha Lewis (Romance FC also play in the Super 5 League) and others in that space spoke about their plans for the future. We’ve celebrated kit launches, covered the International Women Football Experience 2019 in Milan (a tournament between Calcetto Eleganza Ladies, Cacahuètes Sluts and Goal Diggers FC), and profiled Super 5 League founder Shazza in SEASON zine issue 07 to acknowledge how pivotal the league has been to the scene. Tay agrees: ‘There’s only so much training you can do. You always want a competitive element and to win trophies, that’s why you play football. [The league] has allowed people to network, but most importantly, it's a friendly and fun place to enjoy.’
To accompany the launch of the Nike Super 5 League Limited Edition Shirt, we compiled this guide to inform, inspire, and kickstart new action and conversations around women’s grassroots football. It’s focused on the Super 5 League, and how you can support the teams, voices, and platforms – direct donations to teams and initiatives are greatly appreciated. We hope this guide will help start or continue your personal efforts to get involved in the game, locally or further afield, and make it fairer and more inclusive.
Millions of women and non-binary people in the UK are united by a love of playing. They are experiencing the same joy and some of the same problems. Thanks to social media, we’re seeing more domestic and international grassroots women’s teams in our feeds than ever before, Banana FC who play in the Bristol Women’s Football Casual League for example, making the football bubble feel much bigger. As always, our email seasonzine01@gmail. com and DMs are open for questions, feedback, and proposed projects to support.
WATCH
The account is dedicated to Grassroots football, sharing wonder-goals, wonder-misses, news and opinion. Fleur Cousens (@Goaldiggers_uk) took part in their first livestream. Via @rootztv.
Tough Love: a Documentary about Grassroots Football
Telling the story of Afewee, a grassroots hub in Brixton, South London that Liverpool and Lioness striker Rinsola Babajide came through. Via YouTube.
Gurls Talk: Spit Fire, Dream Higher
A documentary by Gurls Talk founder Adwoa Aboah and filmmaker Felix Cooper that takes a global tour of the women’s grassroots game, accompanied by a photography book and stickers. Via YouTube.
Directed by Ryan Doubiago and Lyna Saoucha, this short football documentary talks to women in Paris about what drives their passion for the game. Via YouTube.
Goal Diggers reclaim the football pitch
A short documentary about how Goal Diggers FC are putting the ‘all’ back in football and making the game more accessible for women and non-binary people. Via IGTV.
READ
Via Time Out London
The website details all the work the league is doing, the teams you can join, and charity partnerships including Project Goa and Freedom for Football. Also includes the all-important team standings.
Football Foundation Grassroots Funding
Funding was something that all five players raised - money is needed for sustainable pitch hire, subsidising fees, and to make sure the game is accessible. Money is available here for a range of football-related cost, and they can give a steer on where to find more substantial money to improve training facilities and more.
Grassroots Women’s Football Is Booming - But Where Are The Pitches?
Aamna Mohdin speaks to coaches and teams in Manchester, London and Surrey about the lack of affordable spaces to play, despite huge interest in playing the game. Via The Guardian.
Meet The Game Changing Women of London’s Grassroots
Goal Diggers FC player Isabelle Aron spotlights Super 5 League teams while telling the story of how she started playing grassroots. Via Time Out London.
The Importance of Grassroots Women’s Football During Covid-19
Megan Wilson shares her own journey in the game - from feeling like a fan on the fringes of the men’s top flight, to becoming a player in Manchester and London (starting with £7 charity shop boots). Via Her Football Hub.
The Covid Pandemic Costs Women’s Football
As Annika from Hackney Laces told us, grassroots football is often the only way women play. This piece dissects why women’s football isn’t considered ‘elite’, talking to women who hold down jobs and play at a high level. Via The Athletic.
A FREE monthly paper and online publication dedicated to covering all forms of amateur adult football. Via Grassrootspost.uk.
Prioritising the ‘Professionals’
Dive into how past and present semantics restrict women’s sport. ‘Boys at Tier 1 and 2 academies qualified for the government's "elite athlete" status, while girls of the same age did not.’ Via Halftime London.
SEASON zine issue 06: Community
Connecting the global community football via profiles and features.
Grant search tool to see what money could be available for your team in London.
England-wide search tool with listings of funds they have and how to apply.
Funding calendars, tool kits and case studies.
Advice and grants for disabled people and teams or projects that provide opportunities for disabled people.
The account posts funding and sponsorship opportunities for clubs and teams.
LISTEN
@starpodcast
The Future Of Women’s Football
A throwback listen from 2014 - taking a global view and asking could women’s football provide a solution to the problems of the men’s game. Hear what's changed. Via BBC Sounds.
RMTV: Women’s Football Deserves More
Liverpool stans Lauren and Amy are joined by the Bird is Blue’s Sarah Halpin to talk about issues in the game. Via @TheRedMenTV.
Follow @starsistersfc and their podcast. Ifka interviews those that inspire her including. @shesgotskills and beauty founder Bhavna Malkani. Via Anchor FM.
SEASON Podcast Episode 1 with Asha Mohamud
Football coach and model Asha founded the Really Real project, a series of community football programmes for underprivileged kids in the evenings and weekends in Ealing. It’s currently self-funded and supported by donations. Via Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Slowe Club founder Ro Jackson has been profiling grassroots sport, including football on Foundation FM since 2018. Go right back for her chats with Romance FC’s Trisha Lewis and Goal Diggers FC’s Fleur Cousens, and she recently spoke to coach and Rising Baller’s Nancy Baker. Via Slowe.club.
FOLLOW + SUPPORT
@hackneylaces
What started as a men’s team has grown from a group of friends starting a women’s team to a 60 strong training squad with two teams. They’re big supporters of the charity Shelter From The Storm.
Youth Club and football community - the team formed with the @muslimah_sports_assoc and are open to new players. Donate via the QR code on their profile @frenfordclubs.
An important football network founded by Grassroots Sportswoman of the Year nominee Katee Hui. Support the ‘Laces family by buying masks and bags.
Creative focused football team who love their dogs and bright yellow kit (we do too). Now holding open training sessions.
A rapidly growing and influential East London team with a coveted Nike sneaker collaboration from goalkeeper @thatsewnicole .
This bright blue kitted club were the London FA’s Grassroots Club of the Year in 2019.
Slow and steady wins the race. Winners of the 2019 Beginners League.
Captain Polly explained they formed the team after Covid-19 and a rough break up. It’s a ‘beautiful team with a few of your exes, mates and a few strangers met on Hinge.’
Photographer and @azeemamag founder @jameelaelfaki and SEASON issue 05 editorial star @mariapizzeria of @palmettostudio are part of this creative team.
Playing both sides of the river, the Canaries are riding high in the advanced league.
Super League 5 Team (LOVE their tie dye kit) currently running the distance from their pitch to Barcelona to raise money for Solace Women's Aid.
New football collective formed from the publication Reform The Funk. Follow for updates if you’re looking for a new club.
With their distinctive local logo, it’s no surprise team player and graphic designer @texas.ldn designed a tee for our first collection UNITY as well.
LGBTQ+ inclusive team born out of @wonderkidfilm is currently top of intermediate A Super 5 League.
Despite being formed earlier this year, 20+ players turn out to train with this Stoke Newington team.
The pinks from Peckham train in mixed sessions, but play competitively in the women’s league.
Like a lightning bolt out of N16 - this team share causes and movements they believe in – from Grenfell demonstrations to Rashford’s campaign.
It’s not just east! These South London swans play in the Super 5 League and South London’s @ladiessuperliga.
Two teams in different leagues that you can’t miss - they play in very bright kits.
@coatsandgoalposts
No surprise that these parrots play in rave orange. They are currently running 631 miles in 28 days (the distance to Panorama bar in Berlin) to fundraise for Help Refugees.
Established in 2006 as Miss Kicks, this North London team have toured to Lisbon as well as competing in the league.
Founded by Shameek Farrell, Coats & Goalposts is a team and also a network, providing training, workshops and research into the game.
Use the database to find a pitch to play local to you. Check the Instagram tags, see who is playing there, and reach out.
This account shares skills and news, and raised funds for Flair Football - an app for young players to track their games.
This women’s team launched in Super 5’s this September - hit them up on Instagram to join the pinks and blues.
They team has one of the best badges in the game.
Featured in guides before, but we’ll keep supporting Romance FC and what they do in and out of their community.
Sirens co-founder Morfo featured in our Size? Editorial. Follow them for match-day stories and wavy kit launches.
A south London team “for all women, genderqueer & non-binary ppl. Just playing the beautiful game + living our best lyfe”. We shouted out their most recent kit launch.
Come for the football, stay for the social pics - this team look like they have a lot of fun.
This new team promoted t-shirts for a food bank charity this summer.
This team was founded in 2017 with a strong Colombian influence.
The Super 5’s branch of Islington Borough Ladies - stay updated on all their teams and match reports.
SUPPORT
Nike Super 5 Womens Limited Edition Shirt
Nike x Pro:Direct Soccer x Super 5 League x SEASON Shirt
All proceeds from this limited edition, Hackney-inspired jersey will support the burgeoning league, which has 52 teams across seven divisions and was named FA Grassroots League of the year in 2019 and 2020. Designed and produced by Pro:Direct Soccer, it features a graphic map of Hackney (the league is based in Mabley Green) and there’s a big SEASON logo in the sponsor space across the chest.
Some of the beautiful shots of grassroots football around the world, shot by Goal Click participants on analogue cameras, are available to buy on their website. Ten per cent of all sales will be donated to Goal Click's football charity partner, Common Goal.
You can be kitted out in Goal Diggers merch head-to-toe - from shirts and crop tops to hats and bags - or make a direct donation on their website. All funds will go to support the team’s pitch hire, which has increased by £5.5k per year, and they are the only wxmens team to play on Haggerston Pitch.
The fundraising initiative aims to help the women’s game survive the pandemic by selling graphic t-shirts made in collaboration with exciting design talent. The proceeds support charities such as Goals4Girls, Sport In Mind, and Women In Sport, and you can make direct donations via their Go Fund Me page. #SaveFemaleFootball