{"id":47773,"title":"Club Focus: Indian Gymkhana Club","description":"We spoke to Indian Gymkhana Club about football, history, community, Nike ads and everything in between. It's grassroots football done right.","content":"

We all know that grassroots football clubs are not only places for people to go and play sport. They are important parts of our communities that provide us with opportunities to improve our health, build friendships and share unforgettable experiences on the pitch.<\/strong><\/p>

Ever since we started working with London\u2019s Indian Gymkhana Club, which contains teams from multiple sports including football, it was clear that this was a club with strong community values and a fascinating history that stretches back over a century.<\/p>

The club was founded all the way back in 1916, initially as a cricket club. But Indian Gymkhana grew and evolved over time and is now a multi-sport club with a number of cricket, hockey and football teams. Their roots lie in London\u2019s Indian community but they warmly welcome members of all nationalities, faiths and religions.<\/p>

The footballing arm of the club currently boasts 12 teams for players aged from six years old, all the way up to the Men\u2019s and Women\u2019s squads.<\/p>

To learn more about the club, we spoke to Jay Nagra who is a Director and Club Secretary.<\/p>

Firstly, how much is the club\u2019s long history a source of pride for your players and members?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>

\u201cHistory is very important to us. Our club has a rich history full of outstanding accomplishments and trophies won but players, coaches, management and members also hold a constant sense of pride and belonging, recalling this as a central pillar to how Indian Gymkhana functions.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>

This mindset helps us ensure that we are always looking to be the best we possibly can be and to build as a group, learning from each other and our history to propel us forward to grow as a club.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>

\"e2o4rnhohqjflxawkw3n8sukf0kdbdiwu6nvhzjetx9qwb8l.png.jpg?w=1140&h=auto\"<\/p>

Your club seems to be very active in the community. Tell us a little about why that is important.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>

\u201cIndian Gymkhana has always been an important part of the local community. The club has been around for over 100 years which is testament to the tight knit bond that all members of the club share. One of our key aims is to help young people grow to be important members of the community. This forms the foundation of what we do as a football club.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>

By holding regular events, team lunches or even staying in the same hotel the night before a big tournament, we build an accessible family environment which helps others feel welcome from the wider community.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>

As a club we also recognise the effort we need to put in to provide the best level of sporting facilities for our local community and to form positive relationships which will continue to help us to grow.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>

You operate in a very competitive region, with lots of other clubs. What makes Indian Gymkhana so special?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>

\u201cFrom our excellent facilities and resources to a committed management team and dedicated coaching staff, we are undoubtedly a standout club that our players are proud to call home.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>

For us, however, it comes down to our values, like our sense of community and family. Often, players from the senior team will attend youth football training and parents or siblings may help with coaching or organising things behind the scenes. This is what helps us stand out from other clubs. As well as our skilled and well trained coaches and our excellent training plans, we are first and foremost a club where people want to be, and where they enjoy themselves in good company. We take immense pride in that.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>

\"wtcvnhfahcsqb3rnlut0qcohvtidnhnortxxr7pt34mns4wg.png.jpg?w=1140&h=auto\"<\/p>

How has the club grown in recent years?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>

\u201cThe impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic affected us like it did with many clubs. However, since we have returned to training, our numbers have started to rejuvenate; and with over 170 youth players registered, this number continues to grow.<\/span><\/em><\/p>

This again is a testament to the community we have built and the amazing coaching and training that we provide as a club.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>

Your club filmed a video with Nike last year. Tell us a little about how that came about and how it felt to be involved with such a massive brand.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>

\u201cThe Nike Video experience was amazing. This all came about via Instagram and one of our players at the time, who was working for LCS studios (creative agency). He initially wanted to come to Gymkhana and start training just to keep fit. When he came, he saw and liked what we were doing then got in contact with Nike who were looking for a local club from the grassroots community for their Nike App.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>

The initial planning was great but then the pandemic hit and everything was on hold. Once the lockdown was over, everything was planned and shooting started. Following this, Gymkhana was introduced to <\/span><\/em>Kitlocker.com<\/span><\/em><\/a> who provided our Account Manager, Jonny Tarr and our Business Development Manager, Ben Dixon. Both have been fantastic with getting us up and running and long may our relationship with <\/span><\/em>Kitlocker.com<\/span><\/em><\/a> continue.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>


https:\/\/x.com\/IGFC_SSH\/status\/1405489484314169344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1405489484314169344%7Ctwgr%5E88de5333d943ffd64f3a26c83eab42753c02abcc%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kitlocker.com%2Fblog%2Findian-gymkhana-club%2F<\/span><\/a><\/p>

Have you seen more involvement from girls and women since the Euros victory this summer?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>

\u201cYes, the number of women and girls coming to join our women\u2019s team has increased. Inspired by the brilliant achievement of the national side, we have had more girls and women coming to train with the youth section and also with the adult team.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>

This has seen the quality and standards of training sessions for our women\u2019s team improve. We are now closer to achieving our goal of competing in an 11 a side women\u2019s league.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>

How important is your team\u2019s kit to Indian Gymkhana\u2019s identity?\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>

\u201cThis relates directly to the very first question. We are very proud of the history of this club, which we look to expand over the next few years. Our colours and our badge are unique and instantly identifiable. It\u2019s something we are very keen to highlight in our kits presently and in the future. Our identity is very important to us as a club amongst our players, coaches, management and members in our footballing family.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>

\"dlhu2qylhss7ras2voo2eeotrj9ygwa49uxrzyl8ywviwzmk.png.jpg?w=1140&h=auto\"<\/p>

It was fantastic to speak to Jay from Indian Gymkhana FC who are clearly a real force for good in their local community.<\/span><\/p>

Long may that continue and we look forward to working with them long into the future.<\/span><\/p>","urlTitle":"indian-gymkhana-club","url":"\/blog\/indian-gymkhana-club\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/indian-gymkhana-club\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/kitlocker.com\/blog\/indian-gymkhana-club\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1743078354,"updatedAt":1749569488,"publishedAt":1749569487,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":356097,"name":"Kitlocker"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ilhsqvhxhu7nrgwntiyxdogp3xuyidd633wdpccfqiyzt58a.jpeg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ilhsqvhxhu7nrgwntiyxdogp3xuyidd633wdpccfqiyzt58a.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ilhsqvhxhu7nrgwntiyxdogp3xuyidd633wdpccfqiyzt58a.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"Indian Gymkhana Club - Grassroots Football Heroes","metaDescription":"We spoke to Indian Gymkhana Club about football, history, community, Nike ads and everything in between. It's grassroots football done right.","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":47823,"title":"Puma x Kitlocker.com: The Perfect Partnership","url":"\/blog\/puma-kitlocker\/","urlTitle":"puma-kitlocker","division":356097,"description":"Puma teamwear is now available on kitlocker.com. Puma match kits, training kit, footballs and beyond with big discounts. Read more about the partnership.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/bkosgzbqeliwjh0bmgnsq98usdl4xbkjh7fzcpxahbs9dobi.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/bkosgzbqeliwjh0bmgnsq98usdl4xbkjh7fzcpxahbs9dobi.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":48029,"title":"NPCs Get a Retro Makeover with Vintage Nike Shirts","url":"\/blog\/npc-retro-nike-template-shirts\/","urlTitle":"npc-retro-nike-template-shirts","division":356097,"description":"What happens when Nike Partner Clubs, Classic Football Shirts and your favourite teamwear retailer come together? Some truly beautiful football shirts.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ittdnjltwpdrxgeny7ddrxoaodo3yd38jepbpjk7k7svpsuv.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ittdnjltwpdrxgeny7ddrxoaodo3yd38jepbpjk7k7svpsuv.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":47618,"title":"Introducing: Umbro Match Kits","url":"\/blog\/umbro-match-kits\/","urlTitle":"umbro-match-kits","division":356097,"description":"To celebrate our recent launch of the new Umbro range, we\u2019re showcasing some of our favourite match kits. Could one be your club's next kit?","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/qryys6fpqm2szgjuyvlsr6jbd5vprzacj2yxotuznftdbsjb.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/qryys6fpqm2szgjuyvlsr6jbd5vprzacj2yxotuznftdbsjb.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}