Trans footballers… what happened next? With Goal Diggers FC’s Billie Sky and Gaia Laidler, and Natalie Washington

About this episode

The episode discusses the current state of trans footballers and their activism in the sport.

To mark Trans Awareness Week 2025, we’ve got a question of sport for you - where did all the trans footballers go? Despite attempts to erase what is a very small group, and from the women’s grassroots game in particular, these players have by no means packed their boots away. With the support of many inspirational clubs and leagues, the action and the activism continues. On this special Football v Transphobia episode, the campaign’s lead Natalie Washington joins Sports Media LGBT+’s Jon Holmes along with two great guests from Goal Diggers FC - Billie Sky Walker and club chair Gaia Laidler - for a chat. Like Natalie, Billie has been visible in the media and on social media as a trans woman impacted by the ban. Here, they both describe where they’re at with football six months down the line, and the paths to play that are still open to them. Along with Gaia, they also provide guidance and suggestions for listeners who want to create and access trans-inclusive football spaces for themselves, in their local communities. It’s an ultimately uplifting listen, even while there’s still so much that we’re all fighting for. Links… Billie Sky Walker on Instagram…

People in this episode

Host: Jon Holmes

Guests: Gaia Laidler, Natalie Washington, Billie Sky Walker

Topics covered

• trans footballers
• trans awareness
• football activism
• grassroots soccer

Keywords

• trans-inclusive football
• football v transphobia
• Goal Diggers FC

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Football v Transphobia

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