Where Is Football? Supporting its local and women’s game in Chicago
Where Is Football? Supporting its local and women’s game in Chicago
Where Is Football? Supporting its local and women’s game in Chicago
Editor’s note: Our friend Nik Hak (aka The Footy Queen) is one of the biggest supporters of the beautiful game (not to mention AFR) around. She’s embraced our #WhereIsFootball project, and has done an incredible job showcasing the game as it lives in her surroundings. Based in Chicago, she’s now helping support a sustainable women’s soccer league (see her message below). The AFR Team is global, so if you’re in the Chicago area, think about supporting this and getting our extended team to set you up with a new, footy-loving group.
I recently took a part-time job in addition to my full-time one to work for a soccer organization in Chicago called Kick It Social. I’d been playing in Kick It Social leagues for the last year, and I’d really been enjoying my time with them. I appreciated the owner’s passion for the game (every time he steps on the field, his eyes light up with happiness), the relationship he built with teams & players in the league, and the level of play that the leagues had to offer (from beginners to competitive).
I was especially thankful for the risks he took in starting up women’s leagues through Kick It Social. Even though Chicago is a massive city - since I started playing adult leagues in the city in 2006, it seems that there has never been a lasting women’s league no matter how many organizations have tried to get one up and running. As a female player, I’m hopeful that a great women’s league can last and continue to grow in years to come - Chicago is certainly not short on female players.
I’ve always been an advocate of adult soccer in Chicago especially women’s adult soccer, so I’m happy to have the opportunity to help the game grow in a different setting now - other than just spreading the word individually, through friends, teammates, etc.
If you’re in Chicago and looking to join a league, hop on a team, or play a little pick-up - please feel free to reach out, as I’d be more than happy to help you find a league, team, or pick-up session that suits you best.
Happy to be helping grow the game.
Footy love, nikhak
[Photos: Top Left: My coed team - Team Decent FC. Other two photos: Saturday afternoon pick-up.]
Remember to share your surroundings in the ever-expanding #WhereIsFootball project. And don’t hesitate to get involved with the AFR team.
