GFSN National League - The World's Only Gay-Friendly Football League

Birmingham Blaze FC

Birmingham Blaze Community FC was founded on 28th July 2005, when seven friends got together for a training session under the shadow of the National Indoor Area. Since then, the club has grown massively and is now an integral part of the Birmingham SLGBTI community.

The club is built on respect and don't align themselves specifically to any single diverse group, and their membership reflects this. Additionally, despite the club's name, they draw members from across the West Midlands and beyond. Current regular members travel some distance - from Nottingham to Northampton, Warwick to Coventry, Whitehaven to Worcstershire because they enjoy the inclusive, respectful environment and opportunities Blaze presents.

As one of the UK's largest clubs in the GNL, they also offer plenty of opportunity for progression to positions of responsibility within the committee or football management team. Blaze members are able to progress through coaching and referee qualifications, the cost of which is sponsored by the club. There are twice-weekly kickabouts in Birmingham, held every Sunday and Wednesday.

The club also holds a number of sessions each season '...around the region' to widen access and participation: everyone is welcome, male and female, from seasoned veterans to those who've never kicked a ball in their lives: choose Blaze some to keep fit, to make new friends or to enjoy an alternative from the bars and clubs on the LGBT scene.

A strength of the club is members' ability to enjoy their favourite sport in a hassle-free environment. There's a real mix of ability, yet everyone has a great laugh!

Blaze are proud to play in the GFSN League, as this allows them to play mixed gender teams. They also have a very healthy social scene based in Birmingham and the West Midlands and are well known throughout the region.

Birmingham Blaze has a strong committee that promotes equality and inclusion as its core value, and, importantly, success is measured in terms of the club's social, developmental and supportive environment for members, which are considered of equal importance to winning games.

View the club's website for more information (right) or why not pop into the Blaze Sports Lounge, the club's own venue, within The Village Inn, Birmingham, to find out more?

Club Info