Goodbye Bristol, Thank you for the Memories

End of an Era

In light of what today stood for, for me personally, I have a couple of things I would like to say and now feels like the right time.

Sitting here writing this now I wouldn't be lying if I said I never thought this day would come because I honestly didn’t. For the past 10 years, every life decision, every study opportunity, every career move, and every choice has in some way, shape or form been underpinned, influenced and determined by my core commitment: that to Bristol City WFC as a football club. I had for much of that time, never looked beyond Bristol, never strived to play elsewhere, never needed too as it had allowed me to compete at the top level of football against some of the best players in the world. But as I sit here writing this, I can say that time has come and this chapter of my life is about to close for a different reason.

Bristol, the team in its various names and forms has provided me with enough memories to last a lifetime. From the early days of playing at the Memorial Stadium in the blue and white squares of Bristol Rovers, to merging into an independent team, Bristol Academy under the Bristol Academy of Sport banner at SGS College, to more recently becoming part of the Bristol Sport Family as Bristol City WFC, the words Bristol have always been not far from my lips. As a 16 year old, living in Gloucester the decision to travel every day to Bristol to study and train, with  5:30am starts and a daily rush to the train station was without one of the best decisions of my life. It opened a new door that has allowed me to develop, evolve and grow into the player and more importantly the person I am today.

The Filton College Class of 2008 was a dream team, double National Champions, undefeated on many occasions and some of the best years of my life. This became my pathway into the senior team where I have remained ever since. Bristol you have given me opportunities many others only dream of. FA Cup Finals, Champions League games against the likes of Barcelona and FFC Frankfurt, and FA WSL 1 title challenges coming down to the last day. You have given me the opportunity to share the pitch with some of the best players around.

One of my biggest honours was being made Captain of this great Club. It has and will always be more than a club to me; it will be a family, one I have chosen for myself. Our training ground and WISE Campus has become a second home, and the Stoke Gifford Stadium a fortress of memories. Bristol has been a journey that has sat at the core of me for a huge period of my life, and along the way I have met, trained and worked with some of the most incredible people. Coaches, fans, staff and above all teammates who are now friends and an extended family. Bristol you allowed me to chase the love of my game, and follow my dreams.

This may be the end of an era, and it may seem like a goodbye but it is a see you soon. Thank you to the all at the Club, past and present that have in some way shape or form contributed towards my journey so far. You have helped a young girl with a massive love of the game reach far greater things than she ever imagined possible at a place she now calls home.

The time has come to close the door on one chapter as I open the door for the next. There may be tears, if there haven’t been enough already, but there’s a huge sense of gratitude to a place that has given me so much. Thank you to everyone that has been part of my Bristol journey over the past 10 years. Thank you to the coaches, to those who saw potential in me as a 16 year old and signed me. To those who have invested hours, days, weeks and months into helping me become a better player. Thank you to the fans, who travel far and wide to support Bristol, the Smurf Army will forever be a highlight of our FA Cup Final appearances. Thank you to the Club for your drive in wanting to make Bristol the best place it can be. Above all, and it goes without saying, thank you to my teammates, new and old. Thank you for challenging me, for pushing me, for helping me become the player I am today. In you I have found friends for life, and even when you take football away you still remain.

Finally, I write this knowing Bristol City WFC have returned to what I believe is their rightful place as a Women’s Super League 1 Club. I couldn’t have wished to have closed this chapter knowing Bristol are in the best place possible and I hope I have played a part in that.

It’s not all been easy, there have been highs and lows but I say goodbye with a thankful heart and an ever stronger love for the beautiful game.

Once a Vixen, always a Vixen.

Much Love,

Grace


Bristol City Women's Football Club 2016



 

Into the Home Straight

With the best hosts in Kabwe

So far I have spent 170 days living the dream in Zambia and today it dropped down to single digits as the last 9 days began. The past few weeks, have at times felt a little frustratingly quiet, but end of year exams have meant many of the in-school programmes such as PE lessons, Girls in Action and sometimes sport specific sessions have died down. Originally this drop in activity worried me since I initially attributed it to the absence of the IDEALS programme but time has shown me this isn't the case and is simply the time of year in which we find ourselves. 

One big highlight over the past three or so weeks has been the opportunity to go on a little 'road trip' around Zambia. One of the key reasons I extended my stay was to gain a greater insight into the work Sport in Action do, especially that outside of IDEALS and particularly outside of Lusaka. Time spent in Kabwe, then subsequently Livingstone, Kalomo and Monze have allowed to me to not only work with the various Sport in Action teams in those provinces but has also given me a greater experience of Zambia as a country as a whole, not just the city of Lusaka. I've loved witnessing the differing ways each province operates, the challenges they face in terms of rurality and the differing programmes they provide for the local communities. 

Supporting the Tackle Africa Team 

In Kabwe I spent a day supporting my friends at Tackle Africa with a Level 0.5 refresher course before staying with Mary-Rose, the area coordinator, helping deliver PE and football for a couple of days. I loved seeing first-hand their emphasis on using sport as a tool with every single session including either a message incorporated within it, or discussion groups at the end. This has one again (not take I needed it) highlighted the crucial nature of sport within Zambia and how it truly can be used as a tool to educate, empower and inspire. Even better, Mary-Rose and her family hosted me in their home and I couldn't have wished for better hosts. I genuinely felt at home and would have loved to have had the chance to stay longer, especially having my new little friend Florence for company! Despite her disturbing nap time on a few occasions, I couldn't have wished for a better little buddy to spend my week with.

Following this I was fortunate enough to be able to

Umutima Family in Livingstone

experience Livingstone for the fourth time this summer and it's fair to say that place holds some incredible memories. Emily and Ella, two friends from the UK along with Lyson were heading to Livingstone for a little holiday and I joined them. It's a welcome break from life in Lusaka and for once I treated myself to a few days of doing nothing; despite seeing that place numerous times its beauty still captivates me and even now, and even with its lack of water, I stood there in awe and was blown away by its beauty. It will forever be one of my favourite places, and any chance offered to go there will be grabbed with both hands. If you have never been, I would highly highly recommend it and for me personally, going earlier in the year such as June would be best as the amount of water blows you away and takes your breath away, literally. 

My road trip then took me to Kalomo for the weekend where I supported Lucy and her team to deliver the finals of their Gender Based Violence Football Leagues, making a special appearance as ref during all four finals before heading to Monze to visit Frevy. In Monze I spent a few days shadowing their work and even had my first shot at being a Coach Educator, delivering a workshop on ‘Session Management’ for the local Peer Leaders. Each visit has not only highlighted the fantastic work Sport in Action do in using sport as a tool, but the dedicated and passionate individuals they have working on the ground. I loved the chance to experience different parts of Zambia as one of

Trying my hand at Coach Education

my favourite things to do is to wander without purpose or reason, but simply to explore and this I was able to do many times.

It’s crazy that I am now into the last few days and the home straight really is nearly in sight… I guess it’s time to buy my last presents, start saying my goodbyes and treasuring every last moment I have here as before I know it I will be leaving the sun behind and returning to the not so sunny England! 

You can help but stand (or sit) in wonder at this place 

Life post-IDEALS

It’s crazy to think two weeks ago today I was due to be heading to the airport to board a plane to return from Zambia. But here I am still am, living the dream for that little longer, and looking ahead to what the next six weeks have in store for me. Life without the students has been a little different, rather varied at time but nonetheless enjoyable. On one hand I miss the busyness of the house, the constant noise and chatter, the stories from the day, laughter and banter and the way we all lived the Zambia dream together… 12 of us squeezed into the house that soon became home. I miss the sleep talking, and late night chats, the random banter and the weekend ventures, the times that were only made because of the people I shared them with. Yet on the other hand I am enjoying the freedom to go where I want when I want, the flexibility that comes from creating my own schedule to spend time here, there and everywhere. I enjoy not having to meet the ‘needing to be home before dark rule’, and I am enjoying the way I am feeling very settled here. Every day my route home takes me to a bus stop, where I then walk about 15 minutes to my house. On this route home I always walk past the same taxi drivers, the same shops and the same market and I am now rather enjoying the conversation that has been struck up every time. In Zambia there is often times you receive attention and it’s a little unwanted but this attention is actually welcomed and even over these past two weeks I have had some lovely little chats with the locals on my way home. It is in these times that I stop and take a moment and realise how ‘at home’ I feel, how welcomed I feel and how genuinely content I am. I may have six more weeks left but I am sure that without a doubt they will fly by, just like the past twenty weeks have!

Cricket at the UTH Special School

I have also discovered here than no one day is the same, even if two days you do exactly the same things the conversations you have, the encounters you experience all make every moment unique. These past two weeks have included many of these moments. Last week for example, when going to UTH Special School to help deliver a PE session there, I walked past a group of kids who were playing cricket and recognised a few of them. So I stopped, assuming that this was some of the class we normally teach and joined in… Only in Zambia could you do that. It wasn’t until about half way through that I soon realised, that not only wasn’t this class the one I teach but another group were delivering it. I soon found out that the Zambia Cricket Union were delivering this session and had recently created a new partnership with the school, which was fantastic. After chatting for a while we discussed the possibility of partnering the ZCU and Sport in Action and I am going to spend the next few weeks looking at forming a partnership where cricket is delivered through some of our programmes, and helping up-skill some of our Peer Leaders along the way. I never imagined playing cricket in Zambia but like I said no one day is the same.

Steph and I still Living the Dream

I have also managed to visit the Alive and Kicking Football Factory within the past two weeks. Through the IDEALS programme the footballs we have always used have been created by Alive and Kicking which are an organisation who makes football in Africa for Africa, printing them with messages to help use sport as a tool to educate about health. The words ‘football factory’ make you think or at least made me think of this industrial sized building but it’s far from that. Each football is hand printed; hand stitched and formed into being. Each employee creates approximately 3.5 footballs a day, which as you can imagine suggests the process is quite a long one. It was inspiring to watch these individuals hand craft these balls, focusing heavily on the small details which make these balls what they are. I was blown away by the work they do and how dedicated they all were in making their products. I am looking forward to working more closely with Alive and Kicking and their partner organisation Tackle Africa to help deliver the health aspect of their programme.

Oh and the weekend may have included a little visit to 'Oktoberfest' which was so so much fun! It was nice to enjoy a day off with Steph and some of our Zambian friends as we made our way to Fringilla to enjoy a day of music, dancing and a few drinks. This was the first festival I have ever been too, ever and it's fair to say Zambia more than delivered. A great day that was so much fun and another memory created from living the Zambia Dream!

Some highlights from Oktoberfest 2015

It's not goodbye, but see you soon

Our last group photo before we went to the airport!

It's now been just over a week since the third and final IDEALS students left Zambia and what a different experience it's been. I remember sitting on the floor of the girls room last Wednesday, the night the students left for the airport, and for the first time experienced a lonely kind of strange feeling. Many pre-warned me that my time post-IDEALS would be lonely but as I sat there it feel strange and if I am honest I didn't like it. There was an eerie sense of quiet about the house, where once there was laughter and chatting, and movement, now remained silence. The bunk beds (which now have a kind of infamous history within the IDEALS houses) no longer squeaked with every movement, the house no longer radiated life and all but remained was Steph and I.

The place I called home for the past four months

I have said it time and time again but I can't quite comprehend where the past four months have gone, where time has flown too. Time is funny like that, here one minute and gone the next. To think that just under four months ago I arrived in Zambia and have since spent that time adventuring through with three groups of amazing students is crazy. It feels like yesterday that I arrived yet it feels so long ago since Group 1 were here with us. Each group spent just under six weeks in Zambia with us and each group provided some memorable experiences for life. They all were like a little family full of different personalities, different interests, different characteristics yet together we were all united by one common factor: our love for sport, and subsequently our ever growing love for Zambia. Plus not only as it hard enough saying goodbye to the final group, we also had to tidy, clean and clear out the place we have called home for the past four months. It's not surprisingly how much rubbish can be left behind by students but what was surprising was how long it took us to clear it out!

My ZamFam 1

So as Group 3 leaves and my time as part of IDEALS comes to a close, I can't help but take a step back and reflect on what has been the summer of a lifetime. There's been highs and lows, tears and laughter but above all I have created some memories that will without a doubt stick with me for life. To have had the opportunity to journey through this incredible country alongside 29 students and 7 staff members, and to have had the chance to play a part, no matter how small, in helping them fall in love within this place I hold so close to my heart, is a privilege I will forever be grateful for. The past four months have once again highlighted the value of this project, not only to those in Zambia but also those from the UK. The project provides every individual involved the chance to offer their skills, knowledge and expertise to those they work with in the local communities, enhancing the lives of the people they meet and the communities they work within. But in return the students take away so much more than they can ever imagine, developing as an individual and a professional, returning back to the UK a better person. You only ever have to speak to each individual involved in the project this year to know that Zambia has, in more ways that one, changed their life and for that I am more than thankful. As one of the Team Leaders that is all I could have ever wished for, for people to fall in love with this place the same way I did back in 2010.

My ZamFam 2

Zambia once stole my heart and this year it has done it again. Forever grateful for the privilege, for the opportunity and the chance to experience what has without a doubt one of the most incredible summers of my life. If I am honest I am so not ready for it to end...

I miss these guys already... Come back please!

Wallace Tournament Take 3

Doing my babysitting duties looking after Chichi as she slept

Last weekend marked the third and final Wallace Tournament of my time in Zambia as Group 3 organised, hosted and delivered a fantastic day to celebrate the hard work of the past 6 weeks. The Wallace Tournament always acts as a great day for not only all of the participants but for the students to come together and really recognise the fantastic work they have been doing in and around the communities in Lusaka.

The day started with an early rise as we all made our way across to Munali, one of our placement sites, to set up and prepare for the arrival of approximately 400 children and teams from Fountain of Hope, Chipata, Mtendere, Munali and St Patricks. As with most things Zambian time always plays a part as our 9:30am start was delayed and we soon found ourselves over an hour behind on some of the tournament schedules. I have to give credit to each and every IDEALS student, as despite this, a scenario which would often cause mayhem back at home, they were relaxed and embraced it as all part of the day. 

Team Photo... Munali U12s

One thing that is great about the Wallace Tournament is that Steph and I can take a step back as Team Leaders and let the students make the day what they want it to be. From the sport specific scheduling to the theme for the day, to the team colours and posters, the students have the flexibility to make the day all they want it to be and more. This also means that on the day, we can help umpire and officiate but also spend some time wandering around observing the different sports in action, chatting to the participants and enjoying the day. From the first Wallace Tournament to now, I have had the chance to get to meet every team from each of the placement sites, getting to know some of the individual players and have be grateful to have been able to spend time getting to know them as people but also as players. For a few of these teams I have also had the chance to coach them, playing a small part in helping them become better players. This means that although we shouldn't have favorites, admittedly when watching some games there were a few occasions when my allegiance was one of the teams other the other ones but obviously this I couldn't show!

With my Mtendere Netball Family

Unlike the two previous tournaments where we had certain placement sites dominate specific sports, it was great to see other teams emerging as winners with Fountain of Hope making history and winning the U12s boys' football competition for the first time ever... History in the making for this Wallace Tournament. Mtendere won both the U15s and U17s netball competitions but not without tough competition from Munali who fell short by one point in one competition and lost in extra time in the other. Those games could have gone either way! Another positive sign that the level of ability being demonstrated by each placement site is bettering, and even since my arrival in Zambia four months ago, the players have without a doubt got better; something I attribute again to the hard work and effort of all of our students who have worked tirelessly with the Peer Leaders and teams to play their part in enhancing the teams they coach. We are all here because we believe not only in the power of sport as a tool but because each of the students are coaches who are here to share their knowledge, ideas and skills to enhance the lives of those they are working with.

Never a dull day with these boys :)

A crazy busy day but one I know I absolutely loved, as did all of the students and that was even with the challenges of it being one of the hottest days we had experienced so far. The Zambian summer has well and truly arrived. What a way to wrap up the past 6 weeks, it's been fun and these students have done themselves more than proud! I feel somewhat like a proud mother as I stand back, take a moment and smile on what has been a fantastic adventure which we wrapped up with a cracking Wallace Tournament!

My Zam Dream Team after the fun of the Wallace Tournament was over

Livingstone Take Three

With my Zam Dream Team in Livingstone

One of the most amazing experiences ever!

I can't believe that's it. My third and final trip to Livingstone is over, complete, finished. The weekend itself always seems a little crazy, a little busy but it's always more than worth it. Over the three groups I've managed to cram in my fair share of excursions... From walking with lions, to riding on the back of elephants, to white water rafting, going on Safari in Botswana and chilling in Devil's Pool on the edge of Victoria Fall, I have seen some incredible sights, encountered some amazing animals and been captivated by the wonder that is Victoria falls all over again. My fifth time visiting that place and I never get bored. I stood at the top of the Falls at the weekend, in the early hours of Sunday morning, as the rainbow perfectly formed across the sky, the spray rose high and the water fell and couldn't help but be moved by what I saw. Nature and creation at its best. For anyone who doubts the beauty that lies in this world, the wonders that are all around us, only need to spend 10 minutes here to realise that life is full of beauty and life is splendid and it really is a magnificent thing! 

Looking over Victoria Bridge

Saying goodbye to those at the backpackers was a little strange as they're people that have become part of my Zambia experience. They're people who will always feature in my memories and will always be part of what was my Zambia Dream in 2015. The reality that I may possibly visit again still excited me but there's no guarantee that that'll happen this year. But whatever may lie ahead in the time I have left here, whatever places I visit and the people I meet, I'll always have a soft spot for Livingstone. A place of wonder and awe and beauty and home to one of the most incredible creations my eyes have ever laid sight on.

It's fascinates me how different the Falls were from Group 1 to Group 3, how where I once set my eyes upon and saw gallons of water falling was, this weekend, bone dry and the ledge upon which I stood. Two extreme and when I say extreme, I mean worlds apart but both spectacles in their own right. The Falls weren't so much as Falls this time, with a lack of water, the dry season was evident to all and some of the students questioned its ability to be called a 'waterfall' but for me, I am blessed to have been able to see them through three different stages of the year and to witness the way nature changes and adapts through the seasons.

Livingstone baby you delivered once again, thank you for the memories :) 

The wonder that is Victoria Falls 

The Third and Final Journey

They say time flies when you're having fun but I think even now that is the biggest understatement of the century. As I write this I am midway through the final journey of this epic adventure which is Zambia. It feels like yesterday that I boarded that plane in London in May to begin what was going to be the summer of a lifetime and now we are fast approaching the end of this adventure.

Three weeks ago we bid farewell to the second group of students and welcomed the third and final group. It was crazy and a little scary as to how attached you can become to a group of people in such a short period of time. Reflecting on my time spent with Group 2 has reminded me of the 'why' behind my application to become a Team Leader, and that was one for my obvious love of Zambia, this place and the people but two, to play a part, no matter how big or small, in allowing the students the chance to fall in love with this place I call my home from home. Now half way through Group 3 and the memories continue to be created, the good times continue to be had and I am falling more in love with this place every day I spend here. The first half of Group 3 has been jam-packed full of memories and it's safe to say I am doing my uttermost to make the most out of this experience before the end arrives. The past three weeks have had so many highlights that it would take too long to write but there's one I would like to share for the time being.

Last week I was invited to be a special guest presenter at Zambia's 'Born N Bred Music Video Awards' at the Government Complex. Initially I didn't know much about this event apart from the gentleman who invited me was a local football analysts who I had become friends with since arriving in Zambia. He had been invited to present an award and I was his co-presenter. In true Zambian style I didn't know much but it wasn't until I was at dress rehearsal on Wednesday night followed by the event on the Thursday that the true magnitude of it became real. It was very much like the VMAs in England and was a big deal over here. On arrival I was escorted to a room downstairs where we had to wait until it was time to walk the red carpet. Little did I know that on that carpet would be a number of Zambia's biggest artists all of who had attended to either present an award or perform. Walking down the carpet I soon found myself being interviewed LIVE on Zambia TV about my thoughts on local music and videos... Thankfully I was able to remember Jay Rox and his song Joanna which has become a little bit of an anthem for my summer here. However, for those who have seen the video you would understand why saying that was my favourite probably wasn't my best idea! Favourite song yes but the interviewer did ask about my favourite video and I just couldn't think of anything else!

The room soon started filling up and we were taken back stage to wait until it was time to present our award. Myself and Nsama were presenting the award for the 'Most Consistent' artist and we had a football orientated speech prepared which despite my initial hesitation actually went down really well. Nsama started speaking in Spanish / Portuguese about the Ballon d'Or and I gently had to remind him where we were and the audience in front of us. As you can imagine it sounds quite cheesy but the crowd loved it and we had some fantastic feedback about it. Not bad for my first time presenting at a music award ceremony. The evening was packed full of awards, live music performances and some great entertainment. What was even better is that I was able to take Jackson, one of our Peer Leaders from Munali, to the awards with me which was priceless. For someone like him opportunities such as this would never be available and therefore it was my privilege to have him as my date for the evening. You only had to see his face to see how much it meant to him to be there live.

A very unexpected evening spent in Zambia but one I wouldn't change for anything. Another memory to add to what is truly an adventure of a lifetime!