Tsellot, a Berlin-based director, caster, presenter, and founder of the outdoor club Black Canary, discusses her passion for football and the creation of ‘Goals'n'Gyals’, a platform aimed at promoting inclusivity in women's football in Germany. We had the chance to sit down with her during the Final of the WMN FIFA World Cup in a private event at the Adidas Sports Base in Berlin. Tsellot shares her journey into the world of football, her love for Hertha Berlin, and her vision for fostering a supportive network for female football enthusiasts.

Let’s begin

Why don't you introduce yourself in a few sentences?

Certainly, I come from West Berlin, and my strong connection to the local scene stems from my upbringing around the Ethiopian community. My parents were actively involved in various community events, including assisting asylum seekers. Football has always played a significant role in my life, largely influenced by my mom's passionate support for the sport. My mom's a Bayern Munich and Arsenal fan, and she's especially fond of Germany's national team – she even shed tears when they got knocked out.

On the other hand, I'm a die-hard Hertha Berlin fan, and that's where my love for football truly blossomed. Professionally, I'm a director, caster, and presenter, and I also run a outdoor club called Black Canary, primarily for Black Flinta authors. Due to the success of Black Canary, I decided to create something similar in the world of football for Flinta.

What is your connection to football in general? Do you like to watch football, and did you play in the past?

Playing football wasn't really my thing, but I've always been a spectator, largely due to my mom's influence. However, things took a different turn during my last two years of school when I joined a group of friends who were strong Hertha fans. Even though I was more of a ‘home girl’ and hung out mostly with boys, I found myself gravitating towards Hertha. We'd gather on Fridays after school to place €2 bets at Tipico for the weekend's matches, and it was a tradition that brought us together. I also had a memorable experience when my best friend took me to the Hertha East Curve, further solidifying my love for Hertha Berlin. This year, I even attended training sessions with Seitenwechsel, a football club, because I have a strong desire to start playing myself. Additionally, I plan to create a hobby team with Goals'n'Gyals and enjoy some casual games on Tuesday afternoons.

Black Flinta

A cool transition, because the name is also very exciting. What is the idea behind Goals'n'Gyals, and why did you decide to create it?

The concept behind Goals'n'Gyals didn't always exist; it developed over time. It all started with my successful writers' club, Black Canary, exclusively for Black Flinta authors. Seeing how well it was received and how effectively it brought people together, I realized there was a niche and a genuine need for such spaces. My growing involvement in football, particularly after the 2022 Women's European Championship, inspired me to explore women's football. I saw platforms like Seasonzine and other initiatives in the UK that motivated me.

That's when I thought, "We need something like this in Germany". So, I decided to launch Goals'n'Gyals. I knew it would work because I had experience with Black Canary and had already established connections within the football enthusiasts' community. I found like-minded individuals who were eager to join, and that's how it all began.

‘Berlinese’

In Berlin, there are exciting projects in women's football with Hertha, Türkiyemspor, Union, and Viktoria Berlin, among others. Do you follow that?

I've only recently started following women's football. It all began with the Women's European Championship, and then I started exploring the Bundesliga. I was disappointed that Hertha didn't have a women's team last year, but this year they've joined the Regionalliga, which gives me hope. I'm particularly enthusiastic about Türkiyemspor because of my involvement in casting with them. I've been in touch with Viktoria Berlin as well; they're a fantastic club, deeply rooted in Berlin's history. I plan to attend important games of Berlin clubs because, now with Goals'n'Gyals, I want to build connections within the women's football enthusiasts' network. This season, I'm fully invested in the Women's Bundesliga – I'm loving every moment of it!

For the Women's World Cup final, there was a watch party by Goals'n'Gyals for people from the community at the adidas Sports Base in Berlin. That was your second event. You mentioned the first event at Ingrid's pub earlier. How did that go? Are you planning a series of events for such occasions?

The first event at Ingrid's pub came about organically. I had a shoot there once, and during the downtime, I connected with Ingrid. We bonded over a glass of wine in her garden and discussed the challenges her pub faced due to the changing clientele. This historic Berlin pub was at risk, and being a Berliner who loves the local scene, I wanted to help. So, I decided to organize an event to support Ingrid's pub, and that became the very first Goals'n'Gyals event.

We aimed for a traditional German vibe, complete with homemade potato salad and football-themed decorations. I invested my own money into it, and it turned out to be a great success, with donations pouring in to support Ingrid's pub. The next step was approaching adidas. They loved the idea, and it made sense, especially with the German national team being sponsored by adidas. So, we collaborated for the Women's World Cup final watch party at the adidas Sports Base in Berlin. We have plenty more events in the pipeline with Goals'n'Gyals. While I'm a devoted Hertha fan, I plan to remain neutral with this club and possibly support Union as well.

We're open to attending various games and exploring creative avenues, like photography projects with pub owners showcasing their love for football. The community possesses a range of talents, including videographers and photographers, and I believe we can channel our creativity effectively. For example, we could host workshops on recycling old jerseys. My goal is to attract people who might say, "I'm not really into football, but this seems interesting; I want to check it out." It's a space for both football enthusiasts and those who haven't discovered their passion for the sport yet.

Integration

One final question: Diversity and inclusion in football are topics with significant growth potential, especially in Berlin. You've touched on it many times. You said that a lot has changed for you since the last Women's European Championship. What effect did this World Cup have on you and on the football world?

The Women's World Cup had a substantial impact, but it also exposed a cycle that we found ourselves trapped in. Players weren't receiving substantial pay because of low TV ratings and limited advertising. However, these elements weren't in place because women's football wasn't adequately promoted.

It was a perplexing cycle. The breakthrough came when brands and organizations began investing in women's football, driven partly by the growing discussions around feminism and equality. With more financial support, top players.

Big thanks to @tsellot for hanging out with us, and a huge shoutout to Adidas for throwing an epic evening. We're stoked about what's cooking in the upcoming months, and one thing's for sure. We'll be right there to soak it all in!

In Focus: Tsellot

Pursuit Of Excellence

Unbreakable Bonds