Gems

Gems FC, a football club based in London, was founded in 2001 and is registered with the London Football Association. The club offers qualified coaching sessions at Shoreditch or Haggerston Park, and anyone interested in joining can ring for details or complete an online application form to register.

Over the years, Gems FC has had successful seasons and achieved notable accomplishments. In the 2002-2003 season, the Gems U14's played in the Camden & Islington Football League. The following season, the Gems U18's were runners-up in the London Electricity Saturday Youth League Cup Final and achieved joint 2nd position in the league tables. In the 2004-2005 season, the club achieved a joint 2nd league position with Junior Hammers in the ELE - East London and Essex Junior Football League and emerged as winners of the U15's Divisional Cup.

Additionally, they won the first Hackney Youth League Unity Cup.

The 2005-2006 season proved to be particularly inspiring for Gems FC, as they gained 1st position in the U16's ELE Junior Football league tables with a remarkable 18-game winning streak. The club continued to thrive in the following years, with training sessions held on Saturday mornings as part of their Community Programme for the U16 age category, led by a FA qualified coach.

In the 2008-2009 season, Gems FC participated in the Sports Network League, competing against local teams from Bethnal Green, Tower Hamlets, and South London. Their fixtures included friendly matches, league matches, and County Shield matches with teams such as Juva, Clapham Park United, Mile End United, and Social Organisation for Unity and Leisure (Soul FC).

The 2009-2010 season saw Gems U16's making a return to the Camden & Islington Football League, playing against various teams including Angel Islington, Futebol De Salao, Islington Admiral Youth, Jubba Youth, Lyndhurst, N4 United, New Orleans, NL Eagles, and Paradise Panthers. They emerged as the Cup Winners of the Camden & Islington U16 Cup, winning all of their fixtures and finishing the season in impressive fashion with a 2nd league position.

Gems FC continued to compete in subsequent seasons, with the U17's joining the East London Sunday Football League in the 2010-2011 season. The team was recognised for their sportsmanship, receiving the Team of the Season award. In the 2011-2012 season, the Gems U18's continued in Division 1 with the East London Sunday Football League.

In addition to their football activities, Gems FC is supported by Gems Housing – Advice & Referrals. They provide an advice service for homeless people in London, offering follow-up tenancy support and volunteer employment training. The club also organises educational and recreational activities for young people in the community.

To join Gems FC, individuals can attend Monday and Wednesday afternoon training sessions for those up to U14's, held at the Canalside Residents Whitmore Community Centre and Shoreditch Park. These sessions are free of charge, and further details can be obtained by contacting the office on 0207 033 4011. Gems Housing also offers general housing advice and advocacy, as well as referrals to short-term accommodation options such as hostels, co-ops, social or supported housing. They provide follow-up resettlement support through home visits and key working sessions, offering basic provisions and tenancy support where available.

To seek assistance from Gems Housing, individuals can download, complete, and email or post the Gems Referral Form. For information on homelessness-related issues, individuals can reach out to their local homelessness forum. In the event of a potential homeless situation, registering with the local council housing department is recommended. For Hackney residents, Hackney Service Centre is a valuable resource for housing advice.