From June 27 - July 1 we will be attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the most number of players to participate in a football match. This will take over 3,000 players playing (and subbing) non-stop over about 5 days. The goal? To bring together women, girls and allies to our mission of gender equality in sport, from around the world, to learn from and connect with one another!
To make this run as smoothly as possible, we asked players to create teams at registration and gather 11 players to join them during a 4-hour window. Some team captains signed up with teammates they already knew, while others have left the open spaces for individuals looking for a team to join.
Tennis for Kicks is one of those teams that was formed "randomly” at registration and will bring together players from diverse locations, backgrounds and abilities. Meet their team below!
Emma Doyle
Country?
Melbourne Australia, Denver, Colorado, and Glasgow, Scotland
Your Sport of choice and Soccer experience (plus what position you might like to play?)
Tennis! Happy to play anywhere ... I'm a beginner with some coordination!
How did you hear about the event?
Through one of my close friends who is one of the organizers of the event - Laura (she's amazing)
Do you have a goal for the event that you would like to share?
To have a blast, laugh a lot and be competitive of course!!!
What is a random fact about you?
I gave a TEDx talk called Unleashing Female Potential - here is the link. ALSO, on Thursday night during the Festival of Football, - I'm running a workshop called the Confidence Factor - RSVP here. But also, I danced in the Australian Jitterbug championships (random)!!
Tina Samara
Country?
USA
Your Sport of choice and Soccer experience (plus what position you might like to play?)
I grew up playing tennis and soccer. In my later years I have added golf. I’m happy to play any position.
How did you hear about the event?
Through Emma Doyle
Do you have a goal for the event that you would like to share?
Play, Enjoy the game, be part of something bigger than myself, and not pass out.
Rawda
Country?
Jordan
Your Sport of choice and Soccer experience (plus what position you might like to play?)
My first sport is swimming. I am professional swimming coach for local community and I coached soccer to my little students since I am a P. E. teacher too. I never played so I am just taking baby steps on the field and I don't mind to play in any position.
How did you hear about the event?
Equal Playing Field came to Jordan last year and played in lowest point of the world (Dead Sea) and since that time I have been following.
Do you have a goal for the event that you would like to share?
Just have a nice time to add to my life and beautiful memories.
What is a random fact about you?
I love adventure. I have been in different countries before, and my passion is to discover new things and see as much as i can when I’m traveling, so I’m planning to go to Marseille on 28/6 after our match by train.
What is a random fact about you?
I am NorLankan. Half Norwegian, half Sri Lankan. Born in Norway and speak Norwegian.
Michelle Cornish
Country?
Dallas, TX. I have lived in 22 homes in my life
Your Sport of choice and Soccer experience (plus what position you might like to play?)
Tennis!!! I was a national junior player, collegiate player, coach and tennis programs director and now work within the tennis/pickleball/fitness product/equipment industry! LOVE IT!
How did you hear about the event?
Emma Doyle encouraged me to join in on the fun!
Do you have a goal for the event that you would like to share?
My goal is to meet other people who are participating in the event and have a fun experience!
What is a random fact about you?
I was born with my legs bent and had to wear braces on my legs for 23 hrs per day my first year and then corrective shoes for the next 17 years. They told me that I would run faster because of my feet being” pigeon toed”/turned in, but I think that they were tricking me to feel like I could be a stronger athlete! Ha!
Kalindi Dinoffer
Country?
Dallas, Texas, USA
Your Sport of choice and Soccer experience (plus what position you might like to play?)
I grew up playing competitive tennis and now am working in the tennis world!
How did you hear about the event?
Through Emma!
Do you have a goal for the event that you would like to share?
Fun and meeting awesome new friends!
What is a random fact about you?
I’ve been a vegetarian my whole life.
Dana Rösiger
Country?
Germany
Your Sport of choice and Soccer experience (plus what position you might like to play?)
Sport always played a role in my life, but I was a handball player in my younger age Today I focus on body fitness and I play tennis with friends. I would love to play in the defense.
How did you hear about the event?
I’m actually a photographer for social change and working in the space of women football since 2010. I support DISCOVER FOOTBALL and I joined Equal Playing Field since the beginning. Went up to Kilimanjaro to capture the highest and to Jordan to capture the lowest game. Since the game in Lyon takes place 5 days I not just wanted to sit behind the camera
Do you have a goal for the event that you would like to share?
My goal for the event, I want to get a photo of each player participating in the world record game.
What is a random fact about you?
When I’m not on the field capturing stories from women I’m working in one of the biggest IT companies as a press spokeswoman. If you want to get an idea of my work have a look here: www.danaroesiger.com
Hemanta
Country?
Sydney, Australia. I have a Nepalese - Bhutanese background and been living in Australia for a decade.
Your Sport of choice and Soccer experience (plus what position you might like to play?)
My sport of choice is definitely Football(soccer) and have been playing football for 10 years. Now I coach football to newly arrived young children in Australia through Football United Organisation.
How did you hear about the event?
Through Football United
Do you have a goal for the event that you would like to share?
Play, Enjoy the game, meet young people from various countries and celebrate diversity
What is a random fact about you?
I went to play football in South Africa Football Festival 2010 organised by Street football world and FIFA through Football United. I am a dance tutor and a Registered Nurse
Goma
Country?
Australia
Your Sport of choice and Soccer experience (plus what position you might like to play?)
I like playing soccer, I’m an amateur player, I play for my community organisation in few competitions and some friendly matches. I usually play mid or striker, but I don’t really mind.
How did you hear about the event?
From my sister Hemanta
Do you have a goal for the event that you would like to share?
I just want to meet people and have fun! Also, want to break the record.
What is a random fact about you?
I spent 1 hour trying to think but I couldn’t think of a random fact about me at all haha