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Hey, my name is Elena and I am a second-year Mechatronics and Robotics student. I am running for 4th team captain for the 2022/23 academic year. I am one of the two loud Spanish girls you might have seen dancing around at revs, and of course, Rocio will be the one seconding me.

I have always wanted to form part of a football team since being young but since there was no woman’s football team in my town, I joined artistic roller skating (I guess it would be funny to think about me in a tiny dress, a ponytail, and skates right now but back then that was the vibe). I was in this sport for a total of 7 years and ended up being a professional roller-skater for 3 years. After a few bad injuries, I had to leave the club and that was when I started playing football.

Certainly, I didn’t think I would end up in a team where halfway through the game someone would run next to a tree to throw up but then again, that’s the beauty of it.

As I’ve mentioned before, as a professional roller skater I used to train up to 17 hours a week, so from an early age, I learned how to manage my student work and practice. I believe I have shown up to almost every practice and almost every game I’ve had the chance to take part in. If chosen for this position, I will continue to do so and I will encourage all the teammates to be there for the team as well.

This is not the first time I have been on a women’s team but the difficulties I encountered when I started playing football were a lot. My friend and I had to encourage some of the girls in our school to start forming a team which took around 6 months since we had to get the funds to sign ourselves up in a league and pay for a trainer. After a year we were finally added to the town’s club and now, 5 years later, the team is still active and second in the league. I have not forgotten the determination that I had as a kid to play football and I still get excited every time I step on a pitch.

My goals for the following academic year are the following:
1. Be a port of call to anyone who needs support in the team to ensure that all the members feel like there will always be someone that will listen to them.
1. Encourage all the team members to suggest any ideas or changes in the dynamic to create a sense of belonging.
1. Make sure that there continues to be a team spirit on and off the pitch by creating opportunities to meet up and have fun.
1. Continue to encourage communication between team members and make sure that LUUWAFC continues to be a safe space for all of us.

Summing up, LUUWAFC has been a key part of my last year and I believe it’s my time to give back. And yes, I know that there is quite a stretch from a roller skater in a dress to a lesbian football player but well, here we are.

Nominee: Chloé Beetschen
Role: 4th Team Captain
Seconded: Tash Mack

Hi guys, it’s Chloé, I’ve been playing 4s this year and it’s been the best experience I could have asked for.
Here’s why I think I would be good for the role:
- I’m reliable and committed, having been and training session regardless of injuries or being hungover, or even drunk from socials the night before.
- I’m always chaotic enthusiastic on the pitch, maybe to Tash’s expense, especially when were 10-0 down, and always try to make it as enjoyable as possible for everyone.
- I pour my heart and soul into anything that lets me procrastinate my lovely coursework and avoid the lab at all costs.
- I’m an approachable and welcoming person and can get on with anyone, and I’ll always stick up for people when needed and will be available for anyone to speak about anything.
- I also have experience in being a captain after being my high school’s 1st XI hockey team captain for 3 years, and so I already have had to handle some of the responsibilities and help players in a team.
My aims for the season are to maybe try and win a game and obviously make sure everyone feels included and welcome. I also plan on doing impromptu kickabouts in Hyde Park as well as pub nights, and making sure the 4th team continues its Wednesday social reputation to keep up the social aspect of the team just as much as the
I would really love this role and think I could do a good job at it, and I hope to make 4th teams first year in bucs a really good one.
Cheers,
Chloé xx 😊