This week we interview Ellie and Julie, club legends and founders of the Open Access (“OA”) programme. OA is a Saturday training session for women and non-binary players which Ellie and Julie have been running for the past 5 years.

They provide their time entirely voluntarily.

Over 300 players have come through OA’s doors, with a number progressing through to the First Team and Reserves. Additionally, OA has resulted in the emergence of a number of 5-a-side teams that play in a local super-5 league, most recently the Clapton Cageys. Many friendships in East London football owe their origins to OA!

As if that wasn’t enough – Ellie and Julie also coach the WNB Development team every Thursday. Their efforts have been featured in the Guardian and they have been honoured by the London FA for their contribution to football.

We catch up with them for some quick questions:

What is it about the OA programme that makes it so special and has seen players return again and again?

Ellie: It’s hard for us to gauge as to why, but it feels like a relaxed, safe and welcoming space has emerged quite organically.

We try to have a giggle and I think our love for the beautiful game has hopefully helped inspire that passion in others, many of whom are often total beginners or have felt that they are on the periphery of what is a male dominated sport.

It’s that passion for the game that is probably a large part of it, I think. Also, so many lovely people have come along and embraced it and supported us and their fellow players. Massive props to everyone that has supported OA.

Julie: I think it’s our comedy double act at the start of each session. Only joking! I agree with Ellie. I think being made feel welcome is a large part of it. We are really proud of OA and it’s a joy to see the friendships and 5-a-side teams that have emerged from it.

Ellie and I were reminiscing about it the other day, it’s come a long way since we put out a flyer in 2019 and held our first session in Hackney Downs, worried that no one would show up!

How can the club continue to support OA?

Ellie: meeting CCFC has been a real milestone in our lives. We are so proud to be part of a club that wanted to support a call out for the lost generations of women and non-binary players. I am so proud of all our teams and all of the people involved in CCFC that do their bit to keep this amazing CCFC journey going.

Julie: we value the club’s support in so any ways, for example we love when club members come and watch a game or recommend OA to a player that had been keen to get into football but were not sure how.

On that note, the next 11s Development fixture is a match against Stonewall on Saturday, March 1. It’s being played on the pitch at the marathon track in the Olympic Park in Stratford at 2pm. We are getting access to this great venue because of Stonewall – and we would love to see CCFC club members there to support.

Finally, the question on everyone’s lips – please pick your dream 5-a-side team from current or former international players

Julie: myself in goal, alongside Lucy Bronze, Georgia Stanway, Alessia Russo and Khadija Shaw.

Ellie: you were an international?!

Julie: alright I’ll let Mary Earps have a go.

Ellie: I’m going to mix the generations a bit more – Kelly Smith, Bonmati, Hope Powell, Marta and Mary Earps.

Interview by Alison