Global Connections Football Club
GCFC History
GCFC: An idea turns into reality
May, 2022 - "GCFC is established!"
Global Connections Foundation (GCF), our founders, recognize a need to establish an organized football program for the young men of Nyanchonori, our home. Board members from GCF, along with local staff on the ground, begin work on GCFC's charter.
June, 2022 - With the help of our local staff on the ground in Kenya, GCFC begins the process of identifying and hiring a coaching staff to lead our team. Coach Duke Mageto is hired and begins recruiting GCFC's very first team members! 26 young men from Nyanchonori and surrounding areas are signed as the first members of Global Connections Football Club! It was also at this time, GCFC partakes in our very first match as a team. The GCFC Lions went undefeated in the Rigoma Mashinani League Tournament, setting us on a great path for success. Following our success in this tournament, GCFC was accepted into the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) South Nyanza Regional League Zone "A"!
July, 2022- After a series of League delays, the GCFC Lions make their debut in the FKF South Nyanza Regional League! The Lions earned their first official league win against the Getembe Street Boys winning the game 3-1. Due to unfortunate circumstances, in our second league game against Nyamira United, the Lions were awarded 3 points after our opponents were not able to make it to the game. It was also at this time the the Lions were invited to play in a non-league tournament at Embaro-Rigoma Ward. The Lions fought hard, in front of a packed crowd, and tied Division 1 side Hema Moja FC and only losing by a small margin in penalty kicks (5-4). The GCFC Lions were awarded 2nd place in the tournament and earned our first ever trophy as a team!
August, 2022- The Lions continue to fight and battle their way through the FKF South Nyanza Regional League. Going up against top-of-the-table teams such as Small Simba FC, Bomachoge Borabu, and Gucha Youth FC. This month, the Lions also found themselves amongst the top teams in the league! By the end of the month, GCFC was sitting in 4th place! Also at this time, the Lions continue to grow in popularity among the people in our village and from afar.
September, 2022- The Lions welcomed club directors Steve & Ruth Haines to Kenya once again! We celebrated the accomplishments of the men and coaches and displayed the impact the club has had on the people of Nyanchonori and our players! GCFC continued on in the Rigoma Mashinani League Tournament, defeating Rigoma United and the Embaro Dragons. It was also this month that the Lions earned the attention of FKF National Super League club Mara Sugar FC. Mara Sugar invited GCFC to partake in a friendly match which concluded with a narrow loss for the Lions (MSFC 3 - 2 GCFC). The GCFC Lions are becoming THE team to watch!