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Gals FC Dream Teams Podcast
Gal #9: Georgia Rooney, Part One - "very simply, don't judge other people'
This week Georgia Rooney becomes an honorary Gals FC member.
Georgia is a qualified football referee, a passionate promoter of women in sport, and an all around great gal! She is also a Director at Sussex County FA and Club Secretary at Brighton Seagals FC, an award-winning, inclusive football club for women, non-binary and trans people.
In this episode we talk about killing unicorns (in a good way), how to know when a friendship is over, and letting go. We also learn about flesh tubes - and Lorne survives the attack of the coat rack!
We loved our chat with Georgia so much that we couldn't bring ourselves to cut it down to just one episode, so we've split the conversation in two. Keep an eye out for part two very soon.
Find out more about Georgia:
Insta - @georgiareferee
Hosts Lorne Magill and Nora Beqaj are best friends and co-founders of Gals FC, the football club that exists to give gals a good time. Find out more about our club and follow our journey to becoming the household name for non-competitive football on Instagram @gals.fc
We are looking for ambassadors to run weekly non-competitive football games. If you're interested, get in touch via our website.
And we're hawking hats! Check out our new branded hats.
Music Credit: One Step Further by RomanSenykMusic.
Production: Anthony Zahra
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Gal #16: Anila Dhami - "Just ask the question"
58:35|This week, Lorne and Nora sit down with Anila Dhami, an award-winning journalist, presenter, and passionate advocate for social change.With nearly a decade of experience in journalism, Anila has reported on everything from political elections to health crises and major sporting events, including the Women's Champions League. Along the way, she’s interviewed iconic figures like former Lioness Rachel Yankey and Harry Kane.In this episode, Anila shares her inspiring journey into journalism, starting with her fearless approach to securing her first big interview - with Jon Snow! From her karaoke moments to her family’s deep-rooted love for football, Anila brings passion and heart to everything she does.Anila reveals her "Dream Team," starting with her mum, a true superhero in her life.Hosts Lorne Magill and Nora Beqaj are best friends and co-founders of Gals FC, the football club that exists to give gals a good time. Find out more about our club and follow our journey to becoming the household name for non-competitive football on Instagram @gals.fcWe are looking for ambassadors to run weekly non-competitive football games. If you're interested, get in touch via our website.And check out our new merch - we're not just hawking hats - we've got socks, scarves, tops and candles.Music Credit: One Step Further by RomanSenykMusic.Artwork: Edith CartoonistProduction: Anthony ZahraGal #15: Leah Godfrey "Focus on the impact"
48:37|This week, Lorne and Nora meet Leah Godfrey, COO of Neurodiverse Sport, Founder of Alt Elle, and Co-Chair of the Hackney Marshes Girls League.Leah is a powerhouse in female sports and community development, blending commercial strategy with her passion for social change. She’s a multi-award-winning event director and a champion for inclusion, from neurodiverse athletes to grassroots girls' football leagues.She shares her “Dream Team” of inspiring women, who’ve inspired her mission to amplify underrepresented voices in sports.From leadership to community building to breaking barriers in neurodiversity, Leah embodies the spirit of transformation and belonging!Hosts Lorne Magill and Nora Beqaj are best friends and co-founders of Gals FC, the football club that exists to give gals a good time. Find out more about our club and follow our journey to becoming the household name for non-competitive football on Instagram @gals.fcWe are looking for ambassadors to run weekly non-competitive football games. If you're interested, get in touch via our website.And we're hawking hats! Check out our new branded hats.Music Credit: One Step Further by RomanSenykMusic.Artwork: Edith CartoonistProduction: Anthony ZahraGal #14: Chine McDonald - Author and broadcaster
01:04:47|This week, Lorne and Nora meet Chine McDonald, Director of Theos Think Tank and author of God is Not a White Man. Chine is a brilliant advocate on race, faith, and inclusion, and is a regular voice on BBC Radio 4’s Thought for the Day. We dive into her life, her thoughts on building inclusive communities, and meet her “Dream Team” of inspiring women who’ve shaped her path. From faith to leadership to motherhood, this conversation hits on themes that are core to Gals FC, creating spaces where everyone feels they belong.Hosts Lorne Magill and Nora Beqaj are best friends and co-founders of Gals FC, the football club that exists to give gals a good time. Find out more about our club and follow our journey to becoming the household name for non-competitive football on Instagram @gals.fcWe are looking for ambassadors to run weekly non-competitive football games. If you're interested, get in touch via our website.And we're hawking hats! Check out our new branded hats.Music Credit: One Step Further by RomanSenykMusic.Artwork: Edith CartoonistProduction: Anthony ZahraGal #13: Nicole Alison - Sustainable women's football
51:59|This week, we dive into the world of professional women’s football with Nicole Allison, owner and CEO of Worcester City Women Football Club. Nicole founded the club in 2021 with the vision of becoming one of the UK’s leading women’s football teams. We explore her strategy for achieving that goal, and her Dream Team shared what makes her such an impactful leader - one we came away convinced is exceptional.Like Gals FC, WCWFC is more than just a football club. It’s a community focused on empowering women, driving social change, nurturing talent, and championing sustainability. We're huge fans of Nicole’s work and loved learning from her during this interview.Here’s some more info about the club Hosts Lorne Magill and Nora Beqaj are best friends and co-founders of Gals FC, the football club that exists to give gals a good time. Find out more about our club and follow our journey to becoming the household name for non-competitive football on Instagram @gals.fcWe are looking for ambassadors to run weekly non-competitive football games. If you're interested, get in touch via our website.And we're hawking hats! Check out our new branded hats.Music Credit: One Step Further by RomanSenykMusic.Artwork: Edith CartoonistProduction: Anthony ZahraGal #12: Dani Gonçalves - the "most unlikely" CEO
55:46|This is probably our most "football episode" yet, but it is also one of our most inspiring and emotional so far.Dani Gonçalves is the Co-Founder and CEO of Fantasy WSL, that's fantasy football for the FA Women's Super League. She says she's the "most unlikely CEO" as she describes her ADHD and her struggles with endometriosis. After listening to this, you will soon see why she is the CEO!Dani picks a varied and inspiring team, crossing sport and millennial women superheroes, she has such great reasons for each of her choices - there wasn't a dry eye in the studio.Find out more about Fantasy WSL.And here's a link to the NHS for information on endometriosis.Hosts Lorne Magill and Nora Beqaj are best friends and co-founders of Gals FC, the football club that exists to give gals a good time. Find out more about our club and follow our journey to becoming the household name for non-competitive football on Instagram @gals.fcWe are looking for ambassadors to run weekly non-competitive football games. If you're interested, get in touch via our website.And we're hawking hats! Check out our new branded hats.Music Credit: One Step Further by RomanSenykMusic.Artwork: Edith CartoonistProduction: Anthony ZahraGal(s) #11: Mam Sham - Our comedy duo!
43:11|In this wild episode, we’re joined by the best friends turned business partners behind Mam Sham - Maria Georgiou and Rhiannon Butler! They have taken London by storm with their unique blend of comedy and food. The Independent calls their immersive supper clubs “the hottest ticket in town,” and it’s easy to see why.They take us through their utterly bonkers yet brilliant Dream Team. With wild reasons behind their picks, they reveal the people who inspire their own comedic style. From crazy obsessions with their past life incarnations to a passion for Eastenders, Mam Sham share their dream team of inspirational women - like no other.Buckle up for our most chaotic episode yet! Hosts Lorne Magill and Nora Beqaj are best friends and co-founders of Gals FC, the football club that exists to give gals a good time. Find out more about our club and follow our journey to becoming the household name for non-competitive football on Instagram @gals.fcWe are looking for ambassadors to run weekly non-competitive football games. If you're interested, get in touch via our website.And we're hawking hats! Check out our new branded hats.Music Credit: One Step Further by RomanSenykMusic.Artwork: Edith CartoonistProduction: Anthony ZahraBack on air with a Dream Teams Special
40:42|We’re back with a bang after the summer break, with a special celebratory episode. This Wednesday is a very momentous day for Gals FC; the anniversary of our first ever kickabout in the park! We decided to celebrate by highlighting what has inspired us along the way.Rather than 5 inspirational women, we will be discussing our 5 inspirational Gals FC moments. The moments which, looking back, have pushed us forward, changed the Gals FC trajectory, and got us to where we are today. We are very proud to be helping women find their feet in the world of football, with 5 friendly football games running a week, 5 more opening in the next couple of months, and with a goal of 100 games in the next 2 years, it’s important to take a break from the whirlwind to appreciate how it’s going! Of course, we catch up on our summers, discuss some BIG life changes and wow does it feel good to be back. We’re back on our usual posting schedule of every other week, our next episode will be the regular format of interviewing another inspirational woman about their inspirational dream team! Happy listening all!Hosts Lorne Magill and Nora Beqaj are best friends and co-founders of Gals FC, the football club that exists to give gals a good time. Find out more about our club and follow our journey to becoming the household name for non-competitive football on Instagram @gals.fcWe are looking for ambassadors to run weekly non-competitive football games. If you're interested, get in touch via our website.And we're hawking hats! Check out our new branded hats.Music Credit: One Step Further by RomanSenykMusic.Artwork: Edith CartoonistProduction: Anthony ZahraGal #10: Sara Harrak - Film-Maker and Bangers FC member
49:32|In our last episode before we break for August we bring you Sara Harrak, a British-Moroccan Director specialising in short films, one of which is called F**ked and can be caught on channel 4 right now. Sara plays for Bangers FC, a grassroots team for women and non-binary people in East London, and is currently working on a short film called Solers United. It was inspired by her love for the community that she has become part of since playing with her club.Our conversation covers wrestling (yes physically!) with her mum, figuring out her relationship with Islam, having an existential crisis in your 30’s, working with your best friend, and the never ending battle to make it in the creative industry.Find out more about Sara:Instagram: @saraharrakF**cked: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/fkedHosts Lorne Magill and Nora Beqaj are best friends and co-founders of Gals FC, the football club that exists to give gals a good time. Find out more about our club and follow our journey to becoming the household name for non-competitive football on Instagram @gals.fcWe are looking for ambassadors to run weekly non-competitive football games. If you're interested, get in touch via our website.And we're hawking hats! Check out our new branded hats.Music Credit: One Step Further by RomanSenykMusic.Production: Anthony ZahraGal #9: Georgia Rooney, Part Two - Protectors of the vibe
40:59|It's part two of our amazing conversation with the brilliant Georgia Rooney!Part One saw her pick Emma Hayes, her mum, and Glennon Doyle - meaning there are two slots left in her dream 5 a-side team. We also talk about the four agreements, boundaries, and protectors of the vibe.Georgia is a qualified football referee, a passionate promoter of women in sport, and an all around great gal! She is also a Director at Sussex County FA and Club Secretary at Brighton Seagals FC, an award-winning, inclusive football club for women, non-binary and trans people.Find out more about Georgia:Insta - @georgiarefereeBrighton Seagals FCHosts Lorne Magill and Nora Beqaj are best friends and co-founders of Gals FC, the football club that exists to give gals a good time. Find out more about our club and follow our journey to becoming the household name for non-competitive football on Instagram @gals.fcWe are looking for ambassadors to run weekly non-competitive football games. If you're interested, get in touch via our website.And we're hawking hats! Check out our new branded hats.Music Credit: One Step Further by RomanSenykMusic.Production: Anthony Zahra