Opening & Welcome

We were warmly welcomed with opening remarks from Blu, Stepper’s Founder and Coach, setting the tone for an afternoon and evening filled with connection, celebration, and community. From arrival, drinks, and networking, there was a sense of togetherness that carried us through the entire event.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with us. Your presence made the evening what it was — a beautiful coming together of community, joy, and shared spirit.

From performances to music, from shared stories to laughter, the programme reflected the richness, spirit and power of Steppers.

We were honoured to have Hope Powell CBE present our awards and share her story — powerful 🙌🏽 — a true pioneer in the football industry.

Our Big Boss Lady Blu, Founder and Coach, Sharing Steppers Story

An impromptu interview with Glenys, our team member, coach and captain. And no, I was not nodding off!

We were proud to be part of the This Girl Can campaign, led by Sport England, delivered via Omnicom, with Foxglove leading on creative and production in partnership with Diversity Media Sales.

We give heartfelt thanks to Aiden, Suzsanna, and everyone involved for bringing our story to life with such care, energy, and authenticity—and for joining us as guest speakers at our celebrations.

We were also honoured to have our image selected for the Portrait of Britain, and extend special thanks to photographer James Cannon, alongside the British Journal of Photography, for capturing and recognising our collective spirit so beautifully.
Thank you as well for attending our celebrations with your family and for being part of such a special moment with us.

Celebrating Our Award Winners 🏆

Players’ Player: Roz Thomas

Top Scorer: Glenys James

Most Improved: Jen Smith

Outstanding Director: Carol Lewis

Gratitude & Appreciation 💛

Plantation Inn, Leytonstone — for the absolutely delicious food

Luminary Bakery — for the cakes and those unforgettable peanut butter cookies 🍪

TSA Selfie Booth — for capturing joyful moments throughout the night

The Energy in the Room ✨

The feedback from the night said it all…

Inspirational. Warm. Beautiful. Fun. Real. Brilliant. Mesmerising. Amazing.

A space filled with encouragement, connection, and joy — a true reflection of who we are as Steppers.

My highlight of the evening was the positive, friendly, and encouraging vibes that flowed throughout the space.

I felt that especially when I went up to speak about my books and read a piece from A Black Woman’s Alchemy Poems. I chose that piece because to me Steppers is more than a football club — it is a sisterhood, a movement, a statement… a force to be reckoned with, especially when we come united together on the pitch.

I also loved the food — absolutely delicious — and those peanut butter cookies from Luminary Bakery were something else.

The selfie booth brought so much fun and laughter, and it was a joy capturing those moments together.

And hearing Hope Powell’s story… powerful 🙌🏽 — deeply inspiring, and a reminder of what it means to lead, to persist, and to pave the way for others.

And a special Thank You to Gwyneth Carty, from North London Walking Women’s Football Club, who turned up and stayed right up to the end. Thanks also for your encouragement  when nerves threatened to take a hold!

Closing Poem: By Denise James

All for One

I have two sisters, besides me—

all together we are Three;

one’s called Yesterday,

the other, Destiny.

We, All, are forever here,

occupying the same

time, space, breath, air.

My name’s Precious, Gift

because I am The Present

without which, neither of us

could truly have Presence..

And when We, All,

are living life as One,

life feels like a breeze,

like it’s just begun.

But to be at One

with Destiny’s Plan,

Yesterday’s Past must be

constantly emptied; undone.

So, United We Stand—

All for One and One for All,

Wholehearted In-formants of

The Great I Am,

Re-membering ourselves ’til our

Life’s Work is done.

My Back to Love Trilogy can be purchased at Amazon and all book selling outlets. Here is the link for A Black Womne’s Alchemy Poems – https://amzn.eu/d/09jlYhaj

One for the road..

STEPPERS WOMEN OF COLOUR WALKING FOOTBALL CLUB

We don’t run — we rise. ✨ ❤️🧡

Peace, Love & Light

Denise James – Editor