Monday, June 30, 2014

media release from our friends at My So Called Gay Life.

JBG? Ladies Futsal Team – Stanstock 7’s Champions 2014

Following the tournament win in Manchester 2 weeks ago our Just a Ball Game? (JBG?) Ladies Futsal team once again ran out winners in a 7’s tournament, this time the popular Stanstock 7’s.

Everyone’s knocks and injuries had time to heal and JBG? were buzzing to go again retaining club captain Steph Ashton, midfield play maker Ali Hindley and striker Michelle Kirkman-Ryan in the starting line ups. Some 24 teams entered this year’s event including, Stockport County, Bolton Ladies, RAF Ladies, and a couple of University sides many of whom are 11- a-side and small sided outdoor established sides, some Stanstock regulars and used to the 2 day format so competition was always going to be strong.
All of the first days four fixtures were won and Coventry City Ladies were the first victims on a hot summer’s day in Shropshire.

Next day saw the knock -out stages begin and local rivals Wythenshawe proved to be the first real test for JBG? who eventually ran out 1-0 winners in a closely contested round of 16 match switched to a fast 3G pitch from the previous days games on long grass. Into the quarter finals then and Misfits were brushed aside a little easier by the Futsal team, and it was to be Liverpool feds ‘A’ who took JBG? to extra time in the semi-final which was eventually settled by penalties, with JBG’s confidence at spot kicks from two weeks earlier shining through.

So, the final was reached without conceding a goal, then, Lincoln City Ladies took the lead against the run of play and constant pressure which they had to endure for the first half, only for JBG? to re-adjust their formation and force an equaliser and this game too went into extra time. It wasn’t long before the winner came, great attacking moves with a frustrating end were no longer and a sweet strike from forward Lizzy Chapman ensured the trophy would be heading to the North West this season. Not a bad first summer for JBG? Manchester Winter League Ladies Futsal winners, and now a 7’s Tournament double.

Thanks to Coven Photography for pics.

Friday, June 20, 2014

Birmingham City Ladies have teamed up with campaign group "JUST A BALL GAME?" -MEDIA RELEASE

Birmingham City Ladies have teamed up with campaign group "JUST A BALL GAME?" for their upcoming fixture against Manchester City Women�s Football Club on Sunday 29th June at Solihull Moors, KO 2pm.

“JUST A BALL GAME?” will be in attendance on the day, along with their mascot CASTRO to raise awareness about equality and diversity, combat discrimination and homophobia within football. The Lottery funded campaign will be at the game along with a pop up exhibition where supporters can pick up resources and meet CASTRO.
Ann Morgan, Co-Chair of “JBG?” says “This is a huge step forward in helping raise the profile of the campaign work we do, and we would like to thanks BCLFC in being the first FA WSL team to take this forward”.

Blues Captain, Karen Carney acknowledges the importance of raising awareness of equality within the game and says “The Club is excited about our upcoming fixture against Manchester City and it is also a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of the campaign work that “JUST A BALL GAME?” do. It is important that they continue highlighting diversity within football and putting a stop to homophobia at grass roots level and through to the professional game.
The match against Manchester City will be Blues return match to the second half of the FA WSL season, to purchase your online tickets click here

From BCLFC FAWSL website.

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Media release: JUST A BALL GAME? Ladies Futsal Team-Pride Games 2014 CHAMPIONS!

JUST A BALL GAME? Ladies Futsal Team- PRIDE GAMES 2014 CHAPMIONS!

Very pleased to announce that our JBG? Ladies Futsal Team are Winners of the Manchester Stingers/ Pride Games 2014 Ladies 7’s Tournament in Manchester this weekend (7^th June 2014) after a thrilling final and penalty shoot -out.

The Futsal team have only been together since January and play in a JBG? kit to help raise awareness of our campaign work. It’s believed that they are the first ‘out and proud’ LGBT Ladies Futsal Team in the country, (with straight player allies) and they have recently been affiliated to Manchester County FA as an official Futsal Club.

Around 18 months ago LGBT Role Model of the Year 2013, Manchester City Ladies goalkeeper Andie Worrall ‘came out’ being the first women’s player in the elite game in England still active, Andie also became one of our patrons, this inspired a group of other women from the Manchester area to follow suit and contact us asking if they could play in a Futsal League under our name.

The team quickly gelled and won the Winter Futsal league to qualify for the Regional Semi-finals of the Futsal Cup, which they took part in at the beginning of June. The team unfortunately did not progress any further in the competition but it gave then valuable experience to go into the Pride Games event.

The event saw 12 teams compete in torrential rain but undeterred JBG? Futsal Team braved the elements and only conceded for the first time in the final minute of their semi-final fixture.

The final against Reddish North End Ladies proved to be a cagey affair with both sides defending astutely early in the game, then RNE took the lead just before half time. But the never say die attitude and a will to win saw JBG? equalize with just 20 seconds to go. So it was to be penalties. Perhaps the England team should have been watching as part of their World Cup 2014 preparations as both teams gave everything they had. Thankfully JBG?’s heroic goalkeeping and powerful spot kicks edged them as winners 4-3 and Just a Ball Game? LGBT Futsal Team became tournament winners 2014.

The team quickly gelled and won the Winter Futsal league to qualify for the Regional Semi-finals of the Futsal Cup, which they took part in at the beginning of June. The team unfortunately did not progress any further in the competition but it gave them valuable experience to go into the Pride Games event.

The event saw 12 teams compete in torrential rain but undeterred JBG? Futsal Team braved the elements and only conceded for the first time in the final minute of their semi-final fixture.

The final against Reddish North End Ladies proved to be a cagey affair with both sides defending astutely early in the game, then RNE took the lead just before half time. But the never say die attitude and a will to win saw JBG? equalise with just 20 seconds to go. So it was to be penalties. Perhaps the England team should have been watching as part of their World Cup 2014 preparations as both teams gave everything they had. Thankfully JBG?’s heroic goalkeeping and powerful spot kicks edged them as winners 4-3 and Just a Ball Game? LGBT Futsal Team became tournament winners 2014.

Just a Ball Game ? receives £1,300 to fund team kit, accessories venue hire.

From our media freinds:

Just a Ball Game ? receives £1,300 to fund team kit, accessories venue hire

Just a Ball Game ? has been awarded a small £1,300 grant from the Equity Foundation to fund our Ladies Futsal Team. The Team play in the Manchester Futsal Leagues and funding will be a great way for this newly formed club to be put on a more competitive and professional level.

Just a Ball Game ? is a Not For Profit Voluntary Community Organisation serving South, South East and East Manchester with an 18+ Ladies Futsal Team. Our organisation was formed in 2011 and has been at the forefront of raising awareness around inclusion and visibility of LGBT people and challenging homophobia in football (and other sports) this funding has enabled us to branch out locally and provide a safe space young LGBT women and LGBT friendly women to play the ever increasing participation sport of the small sided games within football.
The Equity Foundation grant will be used to provide a team kit to play in and a set of training shirts, accessories like balls and training bibs first aid kit. Other monies will see us able to affiliate with Manchester County FA enabling us to compete in local leagues and tournaments, and the remainder will pay for venue hire, league fees and coaching.

Female Co-Chair, Ann Morgan said, “Women’s football is on the up but stereotyping and bullying and a macho male environment often put off young people who identify as LGBT from being involved in the beautiful game, the work we do at JBG? helps to break down some of the barriers faced and visibly showcase that if you are female and you have a love of football you can be involved even when you hail from a different culture or communities to your peers.”

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