Kicking Around LA

with the BAFTA/LA League

By Victoria Aitken
Photography by Noel Cianci
Assisted by Nick Hope

So you’re probably an expat in the US and only getting your weekly footie fix from the TV. Funny enough, US tele offers more football coverage than in the UK, offering six games during the weekend. But is that enough, or are you still yearning for the real stuff and miss your weekly park footie game? Well, in the world’s most famous melting pot, everything is possible. The only thing that's missing is the English weather. And is that such a bad thing?

Julian Stone, famous for his roles on ER, Baywatch, and General Hospital, (he’s even better looking than David Beckham) put his head together with Ross King (GMTV and KTLA anchor), both members of BAFTA (British Academy of Film Television Arts) LA, to plan the football possibilities. Julian has always loved football but didn't have the chance to play much while living in NYC. When he moved to LA, he was aware of other culturally based teams such as Mexican, Brazilian and Israeli teams, but wanted to create a non-professional British style team. "Social football” on Sunday mornings is what they came up with; it all started with an ad on the BAFTA membership site, and despite the rare LA rain that fell, on the inaugural game day, in typical English fashion, everyone showed up.

The BAFTA team is original and unusual, as it’s based on pub football teams back home in the UK. And like North America, this football team is also a bit of a melting pot with non-English "aliens" playing on the team as well. The squad consists of a wide range of talent and ages, and is open to non-BAFTA members and any “friends of friends.” Even if you’re in town for three weeks and feeling a little homesick, onto the pitch you can go.

It’s also a bit of a social forum too, as when players aren’t kicking, they’re discussing topics other non-expats probably wouldn’t understand. As Julian put it, “It’s a place you can share a common language, commaderie, and use curse words no Americans will understand,” he laughs. “And not to mention, enjoy discussions about teams at home and UK politics. Football helps keep home roots alive.”

I went to sample an average Sunday game set 20 miles outside Los Angeles in the Santa Clarita valley. Desert mountains played backdrop to the pitch while big leafed maple trees provided shade. And in true Hollywood style, the pitch was manicured to perfection. Unlike British parks, there was no mud or bottles for goals posts, but rather freshly painted white ones without a hint of rust; a footballer’s dream. It’s no wonder David Beckham's coming out here. And if Posh wants to join BAFTA, Beckham just might be the next BAFTA team player.

How handsome they were, as I watched them strip down into their white (color for England) shirts sponsored by Four Boy Films. Alas, Allanadro Navola wasn't there, but plays with the BAFTA team regularly. Richard Jessel, a regular player who’s now a schoolteacher, explained that not everyone's kit is imported. Some are bought in Mexican soccer shops scattered around LA.

The high desert winds didn’t stop anyone from hustling to the pitch, where a field war was about to commence. Today’s game was against the local Latino team from Santa Clarita, consisting of fabulous players from Mexico, Peru, El Salvador, and Costa Rica.

The BAFTA team scattered to the field, among them screenwriter Zak Shaikh, a famed French chef named Claude, former Peninsula League player turned film producer Scot’s man Stuart Pollack, as well as some North Americans who enjoy the company of expats. American Josh Donis enjoys the English style of play more than his fellow Americans because he “likes the team game of sending the ball wide and across rather than taking the ball and running with it.” American film producer Chris Briggs loves the game so much that he went to live in the UK to write a drama about football.

The chef, who used to train American cooks, explains, “Although Americans are better athletes, I still prefer to play a game of brains over brawn and enjoy the team spirit and camaraderie of the English.” Although he admitted his “legs have gone,” Pollack’s mouth surely hasn’t. "I enjoy giving shit to the English!" he laughs. He also scored the second goal of the game.

With the absence of their regular goalkeeper, there was slight concern, but four of the lads volunteered to take a part in a convoluted rotation that involved changing shirts in the middle of the game. Despite the much younger and lithe opponents, the BAFTA/LA lads confidently knocked the ball around with full vigor, hustle, and team strategy. After a few minutes, the lads sensed that the age difference wasn't going to be so critical after all. Only this type of performance could come from multiple community kick-arounds and a few post-match communal beers, of course.

Played in great spirit, even with the usual Sunday morning complaints regarding offside decisions, it was an intense game as BAFTA/LA, with some clinical finishing, and a couple of brave goalmouth headers, came out victorious 5-1.

At the end of the day, there were smiles all around and a few tired legs. And oddly enough, Mother Nature paid tribute to England by shedding a little refreshing rain to keep everyone cool.

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