Oh haaaaiiii. Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter for photos of the cutest dog in the world.
CONTENTS
League info
Training
Training feedback
Friendly 11s this Saturday!
It's autumn; scarf time!
Funded ref/coaching opportunity
Join the 40+ team!
Kit kitty
Community Corner
Player Shout-Outs
LEAGUE INFO
Have a question about leagues? Get in touch with the relevant league rep on TeamApp or with our head of football Paula!
TRAINING FEEDBACK
⚽️ Reminder from Coach Josh: we've got a feedback form where you can let us know your thoughts on training. Feel free to send this either straight after a session, or when it suits you during the week. ⚽️
👉 You can also feedback specifically on our all-abilities tournaments: We started doing all ability training tournaments a year ago. The idea was to provide opportunities for everyone in the club to meet each other and to reinforce our non-ability ethos. We wanted to check in about how you all found the training tournament two weeks ago. Please feedback here if you have any thoughts or comments, including if you enjoyed!
FRIENDLY 11s IS BACK
This Saturday, our second friendly 11s fixture kicks off. Here are all the deetz - we can't wait to see lots of you there!
Ps don't forget to set your alarm because these places might go quickly
✨Sat Nov 5th Match Info ✨ *Exp 11s*
📍Hackney Marshes 🕣 Meet Time: 10am 🕚 Kick Off: 11am ⚽️ Vs: Babe City FC 🚨Sign up post: Mon 31st 7.30pm *Beg/ Int 11s* 📍Hackney Marshes 🕣 Meet Time: 12pm 🕣Kick Off: 1pm ⚽️ Vs Deptford Ravens 🚨Sign up post: Mon 31st 7.30pm 🎉 If you aren't playing then come along for a cheer 🎉
LAST FEW LIMITED EDITION SCARVES AVAILABLE IN THE SHOP
Have you noticed? It's getting colder! Better buy a SCARF. In the store right now we still have a few limited edition GDFC scarves available. They are only £12 and all proceeds go to the club. If you order now, you'll get your scarf in 3-4 weeks, just in time for when it starts to get truly cold.
DO YOU WANT TO BE A REF OR COACH?
The context: In the last 4 years there has been a massive increase in the provision of football clubs and leagues for women and non-binary players across London. These spaces often have significant LGBTQ+ players, but as they are relatively new spaces, we tend to see that the coaches and referees are predominantly cis, straight, white men who have transitioned from the men's game. For players that are newer to the game, having a coach or referee that you identify with can be a major factor in feeling included. If you feel represented in the main leaders of a space, you're more likely to join in. A solution:
We have successfully applied for a grant to help develop more LGBTQ+ women and non-binary coaches and referees. This includes qualification costs, paid opportunities while you learn and other relevant training. This can include those that are already qualified but want to progress in these areas. Could this be you? If you are LGBTQ+ and are interested in this, please get in touch with Gaia (membership@goaldiggersfootballclub.com). Please also share this with anyone you know who may be interested - it's open to anyone.
40+ GOALDEN GOALS TEAM
Please join the 'Goalden Goals' access group on TeamApp to have access to our 40+ games. The first one is Monday 21st November 8-9pm 5-aside against Vintage Laces. We're finalising a December fixture with East London Ladies Senior Team and a January game against Crawley Old Girls. All these teams have a similar all-ability ethos as GDFC.
To add yourself to the access group, go to the app, click the gear item in the top right hand corner, scroll down to access groups', click on 'Goalden Goals' and you're in.
Any questions, ask Gaia!
P.s. applications still open to join our committee as All Ages Officer. If you like the sound of the role, let Club Sec Martha know on info@goaldiggersfootballclub.com.
KIT KITTY
AT GDFC we want to make sure there’s as little as possible preventing you from playing football. For any members that need any financial help towards buying new boots / kit / transport costs etc, we have a kitty to help out. Just get in touch with Gaia at membership@goaldiggersfootballclub.com!
COMMUNITY CORNER
This section is reserved for anyone in the club who has stuff they want to share (job posting, events, other cool opportunities -- whatever!) If you ever want to add anything to this section just email press@goaldiggersfootballclub.com and put 'NEWSLETTER' in the subject line.
MESSAGE FROM G BRUCE
Oi Diggers I'm going away for a few months and I'm being an absolute drama king about it cos I'm gonna miss you all more than my own family (sorry Cara).
I'll be at training and then the Percy on the 9th - come av a pint?! Love u legends xxx
OUR VERY OWN PAULA IS GOING TO BE ON TV
Tuesday night Paula will be giving transphobes everywhere apoplexy with her appearance in “Peter Crouch: Save Our Beautiful Game” airing on Quest TV (Freeview Channel 12) at 9pm. This episode of the documentary is about Dulwich Hamlet, and focuses on the historic game played on Transgender Day of Visibility last April as a team of trans women played the Dulwich Hamlet Women’s team. Look out for appearances from some of your favourite goals too . The episode will also be repeated on Sunday morning (6th November) so it gives all of us an excuse to stay under the duvet a little longer and watch!
PLAYER SHOUT-OUTS
TUESDAY 7S
Captain lilys POTM was hanna who was outstanding in defence once again !
TUESDAY CLUBS UNITED
Words from Captain Mira:
What a Tuesday night! The goals put in a strong shift throughout, especially in the second half. Unfortunately it didn’t go our way with a final score of 1-0 to the Camden Bells but what a match to end the second season of the Clubs United league!
Captain Mira’s POTM was Brooke who played her first CU match! Strong and resilient upfront, despite a few crushed toes, and some lovely powerful shots that just narrowly missed the goal!
The fans’ POTM was Marina who, let me tell you goals, was UNBELIEVABLE!!! A great first half in goal with save after save and in the second half, her defending was second to none! She was blocking passes and shots from the Bells until the very last minute of the match and was just outstanding!
Big thanks to Charlie for bringing team mascot Eli to the match, who spread tons of joy on the pitch and in the pub!
SATURDAY 11s
This weekend the Experienced 11s team faced off against LFA United. GDFC kicked off the scoring to take a 2-0 lead early but LFA answered with 6 more goals, and GDFC nabbed one more for a final score of 6-3. The coach of the other team even texted league manager River to say the words that were on the tip of the tongues of the GDFC players that day, "the scoreline didn't reflect the result". GDFC put up a hell of a fight and played some beautiful football, and as a team our confidence and composure is only getting better and better. Captain Hannah Wallace selected fellow centre back Martha Krish as her POTM for her ability to calm Hannah's nerves with her presence alone due to her consistency in defending that day, a position she isn't used to but played to near perfection. Coach Amy Lester chose Lily Price as her POTM due to her work rate in the middle of the pitch, holding down a large space and making great attacking and defending plays. Congrats to all POTMs and everyone who played.
SUNDAY 7S
Cara’s POTM was HL
SUNDDAY 5S
Captain River's potm was all Legends for 9 bloody points today. Specifically Gaia for her first goal since 2019. The ref said "its been so long I dont know how to spell your name", Gaia said "yay im so happy".
A fierce performance from All Stars - fighting hard against the top of the league team (Wasps) before digging deep for a juicy 7-2 win against Canaries. The whole team nominated Maz as Player Of The Match - for an incredible 5s debut. Maz saved 100 shots (no exaggeration) - she was diving and leaping and saving absolute belters. Everyone agreed they felt wonderfully safe with Maz in goal. Maz of the Match everyone!
