ABOUT
Super 5 League is a grassroots 5-a-side football league based in Hackney (London) established since February 2017, where women and non-binary people of all levels are welcome. The League is composed of over 40 teams across 6 divisions catering to all levels (ranging from Beginners to Advanced), with Charity events throughout the year. The League is affiliated with the AFA (Amateur Football Alliance), The League was proudly awarded FA Grassroots League of the Year 2019 & 2020 The League received the Lionesses Award in 2023
WELCOME PAOLA & JOSE
We are proud to welcome Paola Bailey-Gunputh and José Viana as the newest club owners in the Super 5 League.
Both bring unique experiences, deep-rooted passion for the game, and a strong commitment to the continued growth of women’s football.
Paola Bailey-Gunputh’s journey with football began in the streets of Athens, where she first fell in love with the sport. While her professional background took her into tennis as a player and coach, football remained close to her heart. In 2019, inspired by her wife’s involvement with Super 5, she co-founded Olympia Infinity FC—a club built on the mission to empower women and provide a sense of belonging through football.
In addition to her work in sport, Paola is also a jewellery designer. Her creative background allows her to blend fashion with football, drawing inspiration from the emerging talents she encounters on the pitch. Her story is a powerful example of how sport and creativity can intersect to build meaningful impact.
José Viana brings over 30 years of coaching experience to the league. A second-generation Portuguese coach, José has worked across every level of the game—male and female, youth and adult, grassroots to professional. His career is decorated with honours, including two titles in the men’s English football pyramid and two more in the women’s game. Most recently, he led Sport London e Benfica Ladies—a club he founded in 2018—to a league title in the 2023/24 season, overcoming Brentford WFC.
Despite working with limited resources, José’s leadership has helped build one of the most competitive and resilient sides in Tier 5 football. As he puts it, “Our success comes from being surrounded by the best people—those with a shared goal and the determination to achieve it.”
When asked what drew him to Super 5, José shared:
“I immediately fell in love with the spirit and the enjoyment of the players—football being played at all levels, purely for the love of the game. At Super 5, we hope to nurture the community spirit that already exists, creating an environment that is fair and, above all, safe for everyone involved. I’ve also been incredibly impressed by the way teams have embraced affiliation, and by the creativity shown in kit design—many of which have been produced with the support of our league sponsor, @GripActiveSports. It’s a clear sign of how seriously our teams take their football.”
Both Paola and José are long-time supporters of the Super 5 League, and their transition into Co-owners represents the next step in their journeys within our community.
WHO WE ARE
Welcome to the Super 5 League, where our journey began in 2016 with a frustration towards the lack of infrastructure and opportunities for women's football in the face of high demand. Founded by Shazz, our mission was clear: to shake up the status quo of men's football culture and create a vibrant space for womens and girls teams to thrive.
From humble beginnings of assisting a few women's teams with management and friendlies, the league has blossomed into a dynamic community. We pride ourselves on being more than just a football league - we're a friendly hub where collaboration flourishes. From screenings to socials, the camaraderie extends far beyond the pitch.
Today, the Super 5 League boasts 40+ teams across 6 divisions, catering to players of all levels from beginners to advanced. But our impact goes beyond the game itself. We're passionate about giving back, supporting both local and international charities, including the Hackney Homeless shelters during the winter months.
Our journey has taken us beyond league fixtures. We've hosted local and international tournaments, welcoming teams from all corners. Additionally, we've lent our expertise to consult and assist with external events, ensuring that football remains inclusive and accessible for all ages.
Our vision is clear: to grow grassroots women's football in London and beyond, serving as a blueprint for leagues everywhere. We're open to collaboration, consultation, and partnership opportunities, eager to set up and nurture other leagues while continuing to elevate the game in both quantity and quality.
Join us in our mission to champion women's football and build a brighter future for the beautiful game.
OUR REFS
At Super 5, we take great pride in giving our players the chance to referee games and providing coaching for those who want to learn.
Empowering women is a core value for us, and we're dedicated to helping them advance in the football industry. In partnership with the Amateur Football Alliance (AFA), we offer subsidised courses for players in our league who aspire to become match officials.
It's worth noting that our referee course isn't just for our players – it's open to anyone interested in officiating. We also provide the opportunity for individuals to shadow our referees during match days, allowing them to get a feel for the role and decide if it's something they'd like to pursue
