April 10, 2024

Happy April!

This newsletter is short and sweet – just like spring in New England.

Soccer Grannies on the Move

Beka Ntsanwisi and the Soccer Grannies are headed to the picturesque Mauritius at the end of April. The team reflects the diversity of the Rainbow Nation. Their mission? To inspire mothers and grandmothers to embrace football, promoting improved health for a more fulfilling life.

Mark my words. . . Beka will inspire Grannies teams in every country of the world!

Soccer Grannies Book Wins a 2024 Christophers Award

The Christophers Award honors and affirms the highest values of the human spirit. It’s a perfect match for our inspiring Soccer Grannies! The announcement reads: “Congratulations to Jean for writing (and living) a story that reminds us all that passion and purpose can lead to great accomplishments, regardless of age.”

Book Events

1. UMASS Amherst – Wednesday, April 10th, at 4:30 pm – TODAY! Meet in Herter 301, Amherst, MA, where Heather Broglio, Allison LaClaire, and I will reminisce about our cherished memories with the Soccer Grannies. This marks the start of my (short) university tour. Know someone in the Amherst community? Please spread the word!

2. Bridgewater State University – Thursday 4/18/24, 12:30pm – Professor Meghan Healy-Clancy, who guided my research for the book, invitedme to speak as part of Africa Awareness Week 2024. Special guest, Beka Ntsanwisi, will participate in the discussion via Zoom! This event is open to the public and will convene in the Rondileau Student Union, Room 201, Bridgewater MA.

3. Belmont Public Library – Wednesday 4/24/24, 6:00pm – An event will be held at 266 Beech St., Belmont MA, titled “Writing Group Magic: A conversation with three prolific, playful, (sometimes panicked), and published writing group pals!” Laura Beretsky, Bev Boisseau Stohl, and I will be introduced by our GrubStreet instructor, Judah Leblang. Please register for the event.

4. Somerville Council on Aging – Wednesday 5/1/24, 1:00pm – Join me at 167 Holland St, Somerville MA, for a Soccer Grannies book event in my hometown!

5. Wayland Free Public Library – Monday 5/6/24, 7:00pm – I will join the Wayland Evening Book Club at 5 Concord Rd in Wayland, MA to discuss the Soccer Grannies book.

That’s the scoop!
Jean

March 10, 2024

Marching Forward: Three cheers for Beka and the Soccer Grannies

March has arrived, marking the third month of the year. The Latin phrase “Omne trium perfectum” tells us that “everything that comes in threes is perfect.” While perfection may be a lofty goal, here’s my rundown of triplets.

Three Updates on Beka and the Soccer Grannies

1. Beka, the founder of the Soccer Grannies team, was named an Ashoka Fellow in 2014, recognizing her as a social entrepreneur and a changemaker. This year, Beka was selected for a six-month program with Ashoka and the Fit For Life Foundation to enhance her impact. I am privileged to join Beka’s strategy team, alongside two Ashoka experts and three thought partners from around the globe who wholeheartedly support Beka’s mission. I am learning a lot!

2. Beka and the Grannies recently garnered the spotlight on the investigative TV show, CarteBlanche. “Don’t let these grannies fool you… They might be in their 70s and 80s, but these women are ready to show their mettle on the football field.” I don’t have access to the full show, but here’s a 30-second teaser.

3. This past weekend Beka hosted in the Nkowankowa stadium friendly games for teams from Limpopo. Thanks to the contributors to the “Score One for South Africa’s Soccer Grannies” GoFundMe as it enabled us to be a minor sponsor of the event. This woman in the center is a 100-year-old player, a role model for all of us!

Three Cheers for The Author’s Show

I had the pleasure of conversing with host Danielle Hampson about a true story involving a team of women aged 40 to 80 who play soccer in South Africa. Imagine that! Got fifteen minutes to spare? Listen to the interview.

Three Event Recaps

1. At the Reading Public Library in Reading, MA, I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with my soccer buddies Kathy Kelly and Robyn Parker. They recounted their journey of discovering soccer in their fifties and the community and wealth of experiences it has brought.

2. The Bedford Free Public Library in Bedford, MA hosted a memorable evening with my writing group companions Laura Beretsky and Bev Boisseau Stohl, and my first creative writing teacher, Mindy Pollack-Fusi. We reflected on the invaluable support our writing group has provided throughout our book writing, publishing, and promotion endeavors.

3. Speaking of empowering women through sports . . . at the Sawyer Free Library in Gloucester, MA, Aime Alley Card, author of The Tigerbelles: Olympic Legends from Tennessee State, and I delved into the inspiring journey of a 1960s track team who overcame racial and gender-based discrimination and blazed a trail to the Olympic podium!

Three Coming Events

1. Stop by the Bow Market Book Fair on Saturday, March 16, 11am to 4pm, at 1 Bow Market Way in Somerville, MA. This year marks the fair’s fifth anniversary, promising a full day of literary delights! Laura Beretsky, Bev Stohl, and I will have a table at the fair and hope to give a café round-table style talk too. Keep an eye on my events page for updates.

2. In celebration of Women’s History Month, I’ll be at the Cambridge Council on Aging on Thursday, March 21st, at 1 pm, sharing the captivating tale of my favorite soccer team of grandmothers in Limpopo, South Africa.

3. On Wednesday, April 10th, at 4:30 pm, join me at UMASS Amherst in Herter 301 in Amherst, MA, where Heather Broglio, Allison LaClaire and I will reminisce about our cherished memories with the Soccer Grannies. This marks my debut of the Soccer Grannies university circuit!

Three cheers for Beka and the Soccer Grannies!
Jean

February 10, 2024

Greetings from the Rocky Mountains!

I’m headed home after a visit to Colorado. The scenery is breathtaking. Also breathtaking is carrying groceries up four flights of stairs to our condo. The high altitude makes for a thunderously beating heart as I gasp for breath. I hope the additional red blood cells I’ve built up deliver superwoman performance on the soccer field when I return to sea level in Massachusetts!

Thank you again for the donations to the ScoreOne for South Africa’s “Soccer Grannies” GoFundMe. Two weeks ago, Beka Ntsanwisi helped two Grannies with dental emergencies get care. Beka then headed to practice at the Nkowankowa stadium. It was a hot day, but my favorite Soccer Grannies were ready to play! 

The Soccer Grannies enjoyed a few press mentions in the past month.

• Some of us can never get enough stories about inspirational women in sports! If that’s you, check out this recommended reading list of “7 Inspiring Books About Women in Sports Who Defied Expectations” in Electric Literature. Big thanks to Aime Alley Card, the author of The Tigerbelles, for including Soccer Grannies!

• Sal Bono, host of the Curva Mundial Podcast, aired an interview about my passion for soccer, helping to bring the Soccer Grannies to the U.S., writing a book, and combating ageism in sport.

I have a variety of Boston-area events coming up in the next month. If a particular topic or venue suits you, I would love to see you!

• Please join us on Monday, February 26 at 7:00pm! I will be at the Reading Public Library at 64 Middlesex Avenue in Reading, MA with my soccer friends, Kathy Kelly and Robyn Parker. We will discuss how we each found our way to the soccer pitch and built a connection with a team of grandmothers in South Africa. More details.

• I will be at the Bedford Free Public Library at 7 Mudge Way in Bedford, MA on Tuesday 3/5/24 at 7:00pm with my writing group pals, Laura Beretsky and Bev Boisseau Stohl. My first creative writing teacher, Mindy Pollack-Fusi, will introduce our event “Power of a Writing Group: Meet Three Debut Authors from the Page Six Writing Group.” More details.

• On Thursday 3/7/24 at 7pm, I will be in conversation with Aime Alley Card at the Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main Street in Gloucester, MA discussing her book, The Tigerbelles: Olympic Legends from Tennessee State. Aime shines a light on the team’s struggles against fierce racial and gender-based discrimination as these determined women blaze a trail all the way to the Olympic podium.

• To celebrate Women’s History Month, I will be at the Cambridge Council on Aging at 806 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge, MA on Thursday 3/21/24 at 1pm sharing the story of my favorite soccer team of grandmothers in Limpopo, South Africa

Whether it is summer or winter in your hemisphere, pause and reflect on the beautiful aspects of the season.

All the best!
Jean

January 5, 2024

Happy New Year!

Soccer in the snow? Why not!

Snowy book events . . . maybe not.

I am popping in your mailbox because an upcoming event was rescheduled due to possible snow this weekend. Just in case you plan to join me with my writing group buddies, Laura Beretsky and Bev Boisseau Stohl, at the Somerville Library this weekend, we will be there on Saturday, January 6 at 1:30 pm (not Sunday). Check additional details for the event, “Writing Group Magic: How Three Pals Navigated the World of Writing and Publishing Together.”

The Boston Globe published a piece this week by Maddie Browning titled “Three local writers’ group members turn six years of dedication into published memoirs.” I am grateful to my writing group (Laura Beretsky, Marcie Kaplan, Margaret Lowe, Susan Schirl Smith, and Bev Boisseau Stohl) who for six years and counting encourage each other to tell the stories we each need to tell. Three books down. Three to go!

I look forward to library book group discussions and introducing the Soccer Grannies story to a few organizations of seniors over the next few weeks.

All are welcome at this event on Monday, February 26 at 7:00pm! I will be at the Reading Public Library at 64 Middlesex Avenue in Reading, MA with my soccer friends, Kathy Kelly and Robyn Parker. We will discuss how we each found our way to the soccer pitch and built a connection with a team of grandmothers in South Africa. More details.

I’m hoping for snow in between the book events!

Jean

December 10, 2023

2023 Reflections

What a year it was for the Soccer Grannies!

The South African Grannies International Football Tournament in March was an AMAZING gathering of women from around the world with a shared passion for soccer. I did my best to capture the experience in this essay. We are eagerly planning our return to Limpopo for another tournament in 2025.

Beka’s participation in Soccer Grannies book launch events was another highlight of my year. Beka was the star of every event as she gracefully responded to the enthusiastic questions. My very favorite part of her visit was our NPR radio interview.

I know many are busy with holiday preparations, so I have just a few newsy bits and will finish with some nonfiction book recommendations for your holiday shopping list!

Beka was an honored guest in Zambia in late November to celebrate the formation of their 20th Grannies team! Beka and the Soccer Grannies are inspiring new teams around the world. With help from Beka and Lily, founder of the Zambia teams, I am working on a brief “how to start a Grannies team” pamphlet. Imagine the benefits to women’s healthy aging that could come from Grannies Football teams in every country of the world!

Thank you to the folks who have contributed to the Score One for South Africa’s “Soccer Grannies” GoFundMe to date. This month Beka assisted two Grannies with injuries requiring a doctor’s attention. With help from the fund, these women will be back on the soccer pitch soon.

Konnichiwa! I’m excited to share the book news that a publisher has purchased the rights to print, publish,and sell a Japanese translation of Soccer Grannies! 🇯🇵⚽️🇯🇵 Pretty cool, eh?

Since I set my ambitious goal to average a book event a week, I have been seeking out circles-of-friends at senior residences, a variety of library book groups, and other less formal venues. In some cases I am introducing the story and in some we are discussing the book. I am doing them in person or by zoom. I appreciate the introductions you have been making on my behalf to spread the inspiring story of the Soccer Grannies.

There are more events on my website, but I want to draw your attention to an event in early January. On Sunday 1/7/24, at 1:30pm, I will be at the Somerville Library at 79 Highland Avenue in Somerville MA with two of my writing group buddies, Laura Beretsky and Bev Boisseau Stohl. We will talk about “Writing Group Magic: How Three Pals Navigated the World of Writing and Publishing Together.” More details and registration.

Lastly, for your holiday shopping, here are some recommendations of women-authored nonfiction books (in alphabetical order by last name):

• The tome of women in sports! When Women Stood: The Untold History of Females Who Changed Sports and the World by Alexandra Allred. When Women Stood is an eye-opening chronicle of the amazing women who refused to accept the status quo and fought for something better for themselves and for those who would follow. Follow link and get a 35% discount with code 23JOYSALE.
• Pet lovers, anyone? Good Grief: On Loving Pets, Here and Hereafter by E.B. Bartels. Good Grief is an unexpected, poignant, and personal account of loving and losing pets, exploring the singular bonds we have with our companion animals, and how to grieve them once they’ve passed.
• Hot off the press! Seizing Control by my writing group buddy, Laura Beretsky. Seizing Control is a memoir about the challenges of living with epilepsy, Laura’s quest for justice over workplace discrimination, and the patient self-advocacy required to get the best possible medical care.
• Another from my prolific writing group! Chomsky and Me: A Memoir by Bev Boisseau Stohl. Bev writes about her 24 years running the MIT office of renowned linguist and social critic Noam Chomsky. Bev finds humor and light amid dark topics while revealing the man behind the icon, and examining her life choices in the process.
• Coming soon! The Tigerbelles: Olympic Legends from Tennessee State by Aime Card. Tigerbelles tells the epic story of the 1960 Tennessee State University all-Black women’s track team, which found Olympic glory at the 1960 games in Rome. This inspiring book is coming in January can be pre-ordered at 20% off with discount code LPTIGERBELLES24.
• An informative and action-oriented read for all women in the working world! Glass Walls: Shattering the Six Gender Bias Barriers Still Holding Women Back at Work by Amy Diehl and Leanne M. Dzubinski. Glass Walls is a new, important, and richly detailed guide to understanding gender bias with practical solutions for leaders, workplace allies, and individual women. Follow link and get a 35% discount with code 23JOYSALE.
• And for fellow soccer freaks or anyone coming up on a milestone birthday, I humbly recommend Soccer Grannies: The South African Women Who Inspire the World. Follow link and get a 35% discount with code 23JOYSALE.

Wishing you all a joyous holiday season!
Jean

November 10, 2023

Feeling thankful for the Soccer Grannies community

Good day!

I am coming at you this month with a loosely connected chain of Soccer Grannies news.

France news, Le Monde, published an article about Beka and the Soccer Grannies. Ooh la la! “Grandma football is helping to change society’s view of old age. We are not curious animals!” says Marie-France Gosselet in an English version.

Speaking of “Ooh la la!” . . .

Beka, in a stunning white dress, was presented with the Limpopo Legends “Lifetime Achievement” award, a recognition paying tribute to the legends who portray excellence in their fields of expertise.

This month she also won the Limpopo Sports Award for Women in Leadership for making a difference in the lives of so many women in Limpopo and around the world.

Well deserved. Congratulations, Beka!

Speaking of trophies . . .

I did an event with Rita Wilkie in Milford, MA. She shared her wisdom and advice: “”Keep playing. It gets more fun every year!” That’s from a 79-year-old woman who won trophies this year at the South Africa Grannies International Football Tournament and at USASA Soccer Fest and was interviewed on the Today Show.

Speaking of events . . .

My writing group buddy, Bev Stohl, and I touted our books in Newton, MA and Plaistow, NH. A hoot to see our name in lights!

We also participated in a panel discussion called “Storytelling and Publishing: Capturing and sharing the human experience” co-hosted by InDepthNH.org and New Hampshire Writers’ Project. You can watch the recording here!

Speaking of my cherished writing group . . .

A third panel participant from that storytelling zoom and member of my six-women writing group, Laura Beretsky, held her book for the first time a few days ago.

Her poignant memoir with lessons about patient advocacy will be available very soon: Seizing Control: Managing Epilepsy and Others’ Reactions To It. Congratulations, Laura! Our threesome has a goal to schedule events and share learnings from our prolific, playful, (sometimes panicked), and published writing group!

Speaking of goals . . .

I set the goal in my last newsletter of joining 52 “circles of friends” book discussions in the next year because I want to continue raising support for the Grannies through my donation of book proceeds and to engage with readers at a more personal level. I am chipping away at that goal! Lois Kessin, a pivotal founder of women’s soccer in New England and co-host of the Soccer Grannies in 2010, invited me into her home to share our story with some of her friends. Great fun!

If you have friends who might like to be introduced to the book or a group who have read the book and would like to discuss it with the author, please let me know. While I always enjoy introducing the Soccer Grannies to folks, I have – so far anyway – had precious few opportunities to talk with groups who have already read the book. Either way I will happily join visit your “circle of friends” in person or by zoom! I am grateful for your support spreading the inspiring story of the Soccer Grannies.

Speaking of gratitude . . .

As we enter the season of Thanksgiving, please join me in taking a few deep breaths, recognizing the beauty around us, and wishing for peace and progress in the world.

Jean

October 10, 2023

Greetings from New England! 🍁🍁🍁

I am enjoying a colorful canvas of autumn leaves. Put on your fall sweater and and come out to one of my upcoming events. I would be delighted to see you!

• On Sunday 10/15 from 2 to 3:30pm, I will be at Newtonville Books in Newton MA with Bev Stohl, my writing group buddy and author of Chomsky and Me: A Memoir. The Newton Harvest Fair will be underway with live music, so if you are in the area, please stop by the bookstore for a meet-and-greet-and-mingle event.
• On Wednesday 10/25 at 6pm, I will be at the Plaistow Public Library in Plaistow NH, another joint event with Bev. Reserve your spot for this in-person event.
• On Thursday 10/26 from 7 to 8:30pm, I will be part of an online panel discussion on “Storytelling and Publishing: Capturing and sharing the human experience” hosted by InDepthNH.org and New Hampshire Writers’ Project organizations. Reserve your spot for this Zoom event.
• On Thursday 11/2 at 7pm I will be at the Milford Town Library in Milford MA with my trophy-laden soccer buddy, Rita Wilkie. We will discuss how we found our ways to soccer and our connection with a team of grandmothers in South Africa! If you want to ensure there is a copy of Soccer Grannies waiting for you, Aesop’s Fables book store is taking preorders.

Please check my website for all event details.

Thank you to Beverly Stoddart of InDepthNH.org for writing an article about Bev and me titled Sharing a Wild Publishing Ride.

You heard it here first! I am setting an ambitious goal of joining 52 book discussions of Soccer Grannies in the next year. It could be as casual as a few friends who want to chat or a more formal book club. Could be in person or by zoom. I’d love to discuss the Grannies with your group. Let me know if you are interested in hosting such an event or have a book club connection to offer. It’ll be fun!

Attention early holiday shoppers! Perhaps someone on your gift list would appreciate a copy of Soccer Grannies? Get a 30% discount when you purchase from the publisher with code RLFANDF30.

Last but not least . . .

Beka was recently honored with a song created by a South African woman named Maria Malatjie from Xigalo, Limpopo. Although they had never met, Maria’s mother often told her stories about Beka’s strength through her health struggles and about Beka’s good heart and good deeds. When Maria faced her own serious health challenges, she looked up to Beka as a critical role model. Maria created this song so that more people would know about her idol.

The lyrics describe Beka as a warrior of the Tsonga tribe. She helps the Grannies to play soccer and alleviate diseases, builds houses for the poor, and walks distances sometimes through dangerous areas to comfort people. She helps the vulnerable people on the earth and for that we salute Mama Beka. Long live, Mama Beka!

Listen to her song here.

September 10, 2023

Soccer Grannies book goes global!

Happy September!

Big news for Soccer Grannies fans outside the US . . . the English version of Soccer Grannies is now available worldwide! I’m thinking of you

For South Africans, the code RLFANDF30 will provide a 30% discount when you purchase from Rowman&Littlefield.

For residents of other countries, compare shipping costs from Rowman&Littlefield and Rowman&LittlefieldInternational. The discount code RLFANDF30 will work on both sites.

These folks have been talking about my favorite sister soccer team:

• Listen to “SOCCER IS LIFE! How a Group of South African Women Over 50 Inspired the World” on podcast, GRUFFtalk: How to Age Better with Barbara Hannah Grufferman.

• The Head Foundation of Singapore included an article, “Soccer Grannies: South Africa’s Footballing Pensioners Find a New Lease on Life” in the latest issue of THINK The Art, Science, and Good News of Ageing.
• Authors Answer posted an interview with yours truly.
• Kathleen C. Stone, author of They Called Us Girls: Stories of Female Ambition from Suffrage to Mad Men, invited me to write a guest post for her newsletter. “Celebrating Women Around the World” highlighted the accomplishments of Beka Ntsanwisi as South Africans observed Women’s Month.

Beka had a busy August as she attended many Women’s Month events and provided personal care to women in need. I love this photo from a Women In Sports Wellness Day event held at the Nkowankowa Town Hall.

I enjoyed an early September event at the Hill Library in Strafford NH.

My next scheduled events are:

• Sunday 10/15 at 2pm at Newtonville Books in Newton MA with Bev Stohl.
• Wednesday 10/25 at 6pm at the Plaistow Public Library in Plaistow NH with Bev Stohl.
• Thursday 10/26 at 7pm on Zoom “Storytelling and Publishing: Capturing and sharing the human experience,” a panel co-hosted by InDepthNH.org and New Hampshire Writers’ Project. Register on eventbrite.
• Thursday 11/2 at 7pm at the Milford Town Library in Milford MA with Rita Wilkie.

See my website for all event details.

Cheers!
Jean

August 10, 2023

Women’s World Cup Fever!

G’day mate!

I hope you are enjoying the Women’s World Cup action. Hooray for the South African Banyana Banyana team who made their first ever appearance at this international event.

The Soccer Grannies have been surfing in the wake of the World Cup excitement:

• Ytali news printed an article by Judith Newcomb Stiles, “Never Too Old for Calcio,” that you can read in English or Italian.
• SABC TV aired Beka as she announced the 2025 Grannies International Football Tournament. We also talked about the Soccer Grannies book. Little did I know my head would be as large as the other guests’ entire bodies!

• WBUR Cognoscenti published an essay of mine, “You’re never too old to play: The ‘Soccer Grannies’ go international,” about the March 2023 Grannies International Football Tournament.
• Next Avenue published my essay, “’Soccer is Life’ for This Intergenerational Team” about my favorite pickup soccer group.

• The Lexington Observer and The Concord Monitor printed “Kicking Around Thoughts on Soccer and Gender”—my sweaty observations from the field woven in with real research on men’s versus women’s soccer.
• SoccerAmerica printed a book review titled “The Soccer Grannies of South Africa, ‘Leaving cultural expectations in the dust’” by Ian Plenderleith.
• NewTV’s On the Sunny Side of the Street host, Tod Gross, welcomed me to talk about our favorite South African grandmothers.
• Born to Talk Radio Podcast host, Marsha Weitecha, and I conversed about how sports can unite us regardless of our ages or what country we live in.
• Off the Looking Glass Podcast hosts, Kate Fagan and Jessica Smetana, posted an interview recorded during Beka’s visit.

Time for more book events! My writing group buddy, Bev Stohl, and I had fun at the Concord Library in July. I have a few more events scheduled in Strafford and Plaistow, NH and Newton and Milford, MA this fall. Keep an eye on my website for details.

Belong to a book club that might consider reading Soccer Grannies? Maybe you would invite the author to attend? I have posted a set of book club discussion questions here.

If you enjoyed reading Soccer Grannies and haven’t yet posted a review on Amazon, please reply to this email and I’ll send my simple how-to-submit-an-Amazon-review notes your way. You don’t have to have bought your book on Amazon and it only takes a few minutes. Thank you!

I leave you with a haiku by my friend Laura Gimby.

in the African dusk
she found the village grannies
excellent playmates

All my best.
Jean

July 10, 2023

Soccer Grannies is officially launched in Boston!

Happy July!

Beka arrived safely in Boston and we had a brilliant week. Beka dazzled everyone with her stories everywhere we went.

Book events were held in the Seaport, Sudbury, and Lexington with respective focuses on celebrating the writing, the resilient women of South Africa, and the joy of playing the beautiful game! It was wonderful to see the faces of dear friends and fans of the Soccer Grannies. Three cheers for our independent booksellers: Porter Square Books, Silver Unicorn Bookstore, and Maxima Book Center. Hip, hip, hooray!

If you missed the events, you can watch a replay of the GrubStreet Author Debut. My daughters did the toast at the end. 

Beka and the book received some great press:

• Susanne Beck wrote two articles, one for the Lexington Observer and one for Cambridge Day, that eloquently portrayed the allure of Beka and the Soccer Grannies.
• Host of Boston’s NPR station, WBUR Radio Boston program, Tiziana Dearing, invited us into the studio to share with her listeners the joy, strength, and resilience of these South African women. 
• Nina McLaughlin, Boston Globe’s New England Literary News correspondent wrote “The kick-off of the Women’s World Cup is less than a month away, and Somerville-based writer Jean Duffy has written a book to launch you into the fervor. . .”
• Patty LaBella hosted us on the Women’s World Football Show, an award-winning podcast and internet radio show that has been running for 10 years. Such a delight to talk with her and I have to say I was tearing up at points in the conversation.
• Lastly, Jordan Rich of WBZ Radio’s Book Club shared Soccer Grannies with his audience.

Many of us who traveled to South Africa for the March 2023 tournament had a reunion in honor of Beka’s visit. The Breakers and Lexpressas teams presented an award to Beka for hosting the first-ever Grannies International Football Tournament. Her success in uniting women from around the world with a shared passion for soccer and her commitment to improving women’s health inspire us.

I have written before in this newsletter about being entrusted with the life stories of several Soccer Grannies as I wrote the book. While I regret I could not fit all of their stories in the book, I am delighted that the story of 86-year-old Xifaki was recently published in the Adelaide Literature Magazine.

After the whirlwind of book launch events, I (ever the introvert) am grateful for a few quiet days to recharge. I have one upcoming event on the calendar and am in the process of scheduling a few more. On Tuesday July 25th at 6:30 pm, I will be at the Concord Free Library in Concord, MA with Maxima Book Center. You will also hear from my writing group buddy, Bev Boisseau Stohl, about her book Chomsky and Me: A Memoir. Details and registration link are HERE.

Finally, many have asked how they can help support Mama Beka’s initiatives and the deserving granny athletes she serves. Any contribution is most welcome. Proceeds from the “Score One for South Africa’s Soccer Grannies GoFundMe” will directly benefit the older women Beka works for, providing improved fitness, nutrition and health education, physical and mental health support, and personal hygiene and self-care. Thank you! Thank you!

June 10, 2023

Soccer Grannies – Amazon top new book 

Happy summer! 

Thanks to those of you who have sent messages that you received your copy of the book or you just finished reading it. I love to hear that the story of the Soccer Grannies is spreading.

For the first few days that Soccer Grannies was out in the world, the book listing on Amazon flipped between “Top new soccer book” and “Top new African history book.” Out of a list of one or two or three? Who knows, but still it was fun to see.

Got my feet wet with a few book events in recent weeks. I enjoyed sharing the Soccer Grannies story with the Strivers girls running club in Natick, Massachusetts.

The Strivers girls who inspire the world! Photo credit: Colleen Phelps

My writing group buddy, Bev Stohl, and I did a session at a New Hampshire writing conference about our wild rides publishing and promoting our nonfiction books.

Bev’s book, Chomsky and Me: A Memoir, is about her 25 years working with Noam Chomsky, arguably one of the greatest minds of our times. Bev brings her standup comedy to the page intermingled with her heartwarming recollections. Either way, you need a supply of tissues!

Now is the time to put upcoming June Soccer Grannies book events on your calendar.

• Tuesday 6/13 6:30pm in Concord, New Hampshire

And with the heroine of my book, Beka Ntsanwisi, founder of the Soccer Grannies:

• Tuesday 6/20 7pm in Boston, MA. Virtual and in-person registration required.
• Wednesday 6/21 7pm in Sudbury, MA. Registration required.
• Thursday 6/22 7pm in Lexington, MA

• And Tuesday 7/25 6:30pm in Concord, Massachusetts

All event details are HERE. Don’t miss out!

On the press front . . . The Women Sports Alliance ran a great story on the Soccer Grannies.J ust saying – you might want to tune into WBUR Radio Boston on June 22. Eek!

Still haven’t yet ordered your copy of Soccer Grannies yet? Here are links to purchase it. Or buy it at one the upcoming book events and support our wonderful independent bookstores.

Some of you have asked how you can help spread the word about the Soccer Grannies to help with the goal to raise more book proceeds and further Beka’s important work in South Africa. Here a few suggestions to consider:

• Write a sentence or two review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. I have how-to-do-a-review doc that I would happily send your way.
• Sign up for an upcoming book event. Bring a friend!
• Buy another copy of the book at an event or online. Donate it to your library or a soccer player in your life. Early holiday shopping perhaps?
• Mention the book in whatever circles you travel.
• Other ideas? I’m all ears!

And for those of you who read all the way to the end of the newsletter . . .  I have a new essay, “Jean, the Soccer Freak” about my later-in-life discovery of soccer and the start of the Lexpressas team. Like some other recent essays, this was gleaned from book outtakes. It was published in the “Bloom and Blossom” issue of Musing Publications.

That’s the scoop!
Jean

May 10, 2023

SOCCER GRANNIES is here!

Woohoo! Happy publication day to the Soccer Grannies. It’s a real book!

What a team effort! Soccer players on both sides of the Atlantic shared memories and even life stories. Beka Ntsanwisi provided unwavering support. My writing group patiently listened, critiqued, and encouraged the evolving story. Creative editors offered suggestions. A social historian guided my learning. Teams at Rowman & Littlefield corralled the production and now support my marketing efforts. Finally, friends and family cheered me on. I am grateful.

I’m celebrating with three songs today. Crank the volume! Consider yourself forewarned, these songs WILL get stuck in your head.

Bev Grant and Ina Wool, of the duo “Wool and Grant,” tell the story of the Soccer Grannies in SONG 1: Vakhegula Vakhegula, Go Granny Go Go!

(Great photo choice, Bev! 😂) Bev is a social activist, musician, photographer,and filmmaker; please visit her website.

In the midst of the pandemic, the president of South Africa spoke: “Celebrate our South African heritage. Join the Jerusalema dance challenge that is spreading across the world. Demonstrate our good music, good dance, and good moves.” A 25-year-old musician from Limpopo, Master KG, and a gospel vocalist, Nomcebo, created the Jerusalema sensation that rose to the top of music charts across Africa and much of Europe offering a much-needed sense of unity during the global pandemic. The Grannies and Grandpas dance in SONG 2: The Jerusalema.

Bravo to Sam Ntsanwisi of Samsrec Productions for the videography. To learn more, read the essay, When We Couldn’t Meet On The Soccer Field, We Danced — 8,000 Miles Apart.

Just this past spring, Beka and the Soccer Grannies hosted the Grannies International Football Tournament. Tsonga musician, Cool B, wrote and performed the tournament theme song . I may be back in the US, but I’m still on my feet dancing. Join the fun in SONG 3: Chava Vakhegula which means “Go Grannies!”

Thanks again to Sam and Samsrec Productions for the photo.

If you are in the U.S. and you haven’t yet ordered your copy of Soccer Grannies yet, links to purchase it are here. Use this discount code if you buy it from the publisher: RLFANDF30. All book proceeds are being donated to the Beka Ntsanwisi Foundation.

Bill Littlefield, longtime host of NPR’s Only a Game and author of Mercy, wrote a book review published in The Arts Fuse this week that sings the praises of Beka Ntsanwisi.

“Soccer Grannies is a terrific book. If it were nothing but a “feel good” story, it would be terrific enough, because we need all the “feel good” stories we can get, but it’s much more. Nobody reading about Rebecca “Beka” Ntsanwisi, aka “Mama Beka,” can feel anything but good. This extraordinary South African woman has built a network of soccer teams made up of grandmothers throughout her country. She’s also been responsible for aiding women in South Africa in various ways that have nothing to do with soccer. She’s organized the building of homes for women and children previously trapped in poverty. She’s comforted and helped support survivors of families decimated first by AIDs, and then by COVID. She dreams of establishing a home for elderly women who may not otherwise be safe. In some parts of her country, victims of dementia can be shunned and even attacked as witches.“

If you would like the opportunity to meet Mama Beka, I hope you will mark your calendar to attend one of the upcoming book events. Some require advance registration. Here’s the list.

You, my newsletter peeps, are likely the biggest Soccer Grannies supporters. I’m hoping you will read the book and help me spread the word. I TOTALLY understand that feel-phenomenal stories about resilient women overcoming adversity, being role models for healthy aging, and bridging connections across cultures through a shared love of sport are NOT for everyone. But hopefully for some. More on spreading the word next month. Or please get in touch in the meantime if you are keen!

For now . . . Woohoo! And don’t forget to crank the volume.
Jean

April 10, 2023

Tournament, readings, events. Oh my!

Tournament

The Grannies International Football Tournament was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. In the spirit of a picture being worth 1000 words, here’s the photo recap.

Sixteen teams from France, Mozambique, South Africa, USA, Zambia, and Zimbabwe paraded with their national flags through the town of Nkowankowa to the stadium. Photo credits: Beatrice Tshabalala and yours truly

I don’t believe I’ve ever played soccer before with even five people watching. I never could have imagined playing in front a packed stadium. What an experience Beka Ntsanwisi delivered to us. Just wow. Photo credit: Beatrice Tshabalala

Lily Zulu, founder of the Zambia team, and I had our first ever LIVE TV interview. Photo credit: Kate Duffy

Each game opened with national anthems. The announcer gave the spirited play-by-play commentary: “Will she shoot? Will she shoot? She shoots! And the goalie says: . . . not today!” Rita Wilkas, our oldest U.S. player at 79, scored two goals. The stadium rang out with “Ri-ta! Ri-ta!” It was remarkable to be part of an event that celebrated one’s age and women’s health. Photo credits: Samsrec Productions and Sue Wing

For me reuniting with Beka and the Soccer Grannies who I had not seen since my last visit to South Africa in 2011 was precious. Photo credit: Kate Duffy

Two South African teams and two US teams proceeded to the semifinals. Close games ensued, but in the end the U.S. Breakers raised the trophy in jubilation. The Breakers promptly presented the trophy to Mama Beka and the Vakhegula-Vakhegula (Soccer Grannies) host team for creating this wonderful experience for all of us. Photo credit: Ching Lai

Readings

Turning to the Soccer Grannies book . . . we are now one month from pub day. Eek! I feel equal parts excited and scared. Ready or not, here it comes. I have two readings to offer in the meantime.

1. If you are interested in a sneak peek, you can read the first chapter of Soccer Grannies here. Book pre-order details are here.
2. In the final months before I turned my manuscript over to the publisher, I was entrusted with the life stories of several Soccer Grannies. Happiness Maake, a radio talk show host, conducted the interviews in their native Xitsonga language and translated them to English. Happiness inserted details, such as “she raised her hand in a fist,” allowing me to write vivid narrations. For me these interviews were solid gold. I wove many quotes into the manuscript in relevant spots. I also added seven chapter-like “interludes” where the story in progress is interrupted to share one of these granny’s stories. These strong and resilient women triumph over incredible challenges. I regret the book page count would not allow me to fit all of their stories. However, I am delighted that I found journals to publish the last two in essay form. I am sharing the first one, 56-year-old Selina’s story, here.

Granny Makoma Selina Matwalane. Photo credit: Dineo Raolane

Events

I am actively scheduling book events. There are currently seven events listed here, but I want to focus your attention on three special events. Beka Ntsanwisi, founder of the Soccer Grannies team and community activist, will be coming to the U.S. for a week of book launch events in June. How cool is it that the heroine of my book will be sitting beside me! Here’s the rundown of events with Beka.

Tuesday 6/20/23, 7:00pm – This is the Boston-area launch for the Soccer Grannies book. It will be held at Porter Square Books: Boston Edition at 50 Liberty Street in the Boston Seaport. Beka and I will be in conversation with E.B. Bartels (author, GrubStreet instructor, and guiding light for my Soccer Grannies writing journey) as part of the Grubbie Debut Author Series. This event will highlight learnings from my writing adventure. I don’t mean to shout, but YOU MUST REGISTER TO ATTEND EITHER IN PERSON OR VIRTUALLY. Register for the in-person event here and register for the virtual Crowdcast event here.

Wednesday 6/21/23, Wednesday 6/21/23, 7:00pm – Beka Ntsanwisi, founder of the Soccer Grannies, and I will speak at the Goodnow Library at 21 Concord Road in Sudbury MA. Beka will share how she founded the team, the struggles she faces, and her future dreams. This will be a multimedia event with a special focus on the lives of these South African women. Silver Unicorn Books will have books for sale. AGAIN, YOU MUST REGISTER TO ATTEND. Registration for this in-person event here.

Thursday 6/22/23, 7:00pm – Join us for a hometown event at the Cary Memorial Library at 1874 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington MA with the founder of the Soccer Grannies, Beka Ntsanwisi, and me. Maxima Book Center will be on hand to sell books. This event will celebrate the joys of women’s soccer. I’m calling on soccer players of all ages to wear their team jerseys for a soccer celebration! I envision the most colorful book event ever held in Lexington. No registration necessary.

Cheers!
Jean

March 10, 2023

A glimpse into the writing of Soccer Grannies

Writing a book is an interesting process. For me, it will be eight years from attending a first creative writing class to holding the published book in my hand. I finished my first draft four years into the process. I would be very curious to know if even one complete sentence from the first draft made it to the published version.

I was advised by early readers to incorporate more about the Soccer Grannies and life in South Africa. A Massachusetts social historian of southern Africa was patient with my questions and pointed me to wonderful books and research papers.

It was also suggested that I add more “Jean” into the book, so that the reader will become invested in the narrator. While that guidance made sense, I found it difficult to contemplate what about me could possibly be of interest. Nevertheless, I dug in and wove that thread into the fabric of the book. My writing group of memoirists was excited as I shared new pieces, “Yes, yes, this is what we wanted to hear all along!”

Six years into the process, a potential publisher shared her vision for the book. (One listens closely to a potential publisher.) “In order for this to have broad general appeal, I believe we would need to expand on the story of the Soccer Grannies and cut back dramatically on your personal story.” Essentially, she wanted me to leave in just enough “Jean” to tell the story. Removing had to be easier than adding. Snip. Chop. Snip. I revised the first three chapters accordingly and we had a deal.

Being the frugal sort, I did not throw away those pieces on the cutting room floor. Last month an essay about a skinny girl was published, Embracing the Late Bloomer. Check it out if you are interested to learn more about this Soccer Grannies narrator.

In exactly two weeks, I will be stepping off the plane in South Africa with three teams of women from the Boston area. We are thrilled to join the fun at the Grannies International Football Tournament. I have started packing my bag: soccer cleats, a comb-bound copy of Soccer Grannies for Beka Ntsanwisi, and lots of Advil. I promise to tell all in the next newsletter. In the meantime, photos and videos will be shared on these sites:

Facebook: Soccer Grannies Book
Instagram: Soccer Grannies Book
Twitter: Jean Duffy

In exactly two months, Soccer Grannies will be out in the world. If you wish to pre-order from the publisher, independent bookstores, or that big bully on the block, links are below. (Psst . . . the best price is on the Rowman & Littlefield publisher’s site using the friends and family promotion code: RLFANDF30.) If you prefer to buy the book from the independent bookseller at a book event, that’s great too. Remember all book proceeds will go to the Beka Ntsanwisi Foundation to support her community activism in South Africa.

Rowman & Littlefield – Books-A-Million – Bookshop.org
IndieBound – Barnes & Noble – Amazon

Catch you next month!
Jean

February 10, 2023

Feeling the Soccer Grannies fever!

The book is officially off to the printer. Whoopee! The countdown continues; three months until Soccer Grannies will be out!

I mentioned last month that Beka Ntsanwisi, the founder of the Soccer Grannies team, will visit the U.S. for a week of book launch events. Two events are booked so far—Tuesday, June 20th 7pm at GrubStreet/Porter Square Books in the Boston Seaport and Thursday, June 22nd 7pm at Cary Memorial Library in Lexington. I hope some of you will come out to meet Beka and hear her speak. She’ll even be signing books with me.

I was notified that two of my essays will be published in coming months. (Can the term “outtakes” apply to books?).

Speaking of countdowns . . . just six weeks from today, 42 U.S. women in their 50s, 60s, and 70s will be landing in Johannesburg to participate in the Grannies International Football Tournament. It promises to be a fabulous celebration of active older women from around the world. After 10 months of planning the trip, we finally convened our three Boston teams for a first practice. I expect our soccer skills are in decent shape, but our singing, dancing, and tongue trilling will no doubt be outclassed. At Beka’s request each U.S. traveler is gathering a suitcase of soccer gear and women’s clothing to donate. Want to see videos and photos of the tournament unfolding? Follow all the excitement at:

Facebook: Soccer Grannies Book
Instagram: Soccer Grannies Book
Twitter: Jean Duffy

Here’s my humble request for Soccer Grannies fans this month: please go to Soccer Grannies on GoodReads. Sign in or create an account as appropriate. Click “Want to Read” under the photo of the book cover. That’s it. This helps feed the ever-hungry algorithms and build interest. Thank you!

Stay tuned for more details.
Jean

January 10, 2023

Soccer Grannies – Four months from today!

Happy New Year to all the friends and fans of the Soccer Grannies!

On the book front . . .

Four months from today (but who’s counting) Soccer Grannies will be out in the world. I reviewed the typeset version. I have to say it looks like a real book now—complete with a center photo spread.

I received five book endorsements from: Julie Foudy (former captain, U.S. Women’s Soccer Team, 2x Olympic Gold Medalist, 2x World Cup Champion), Amy Bass (author of One Goal: A Coach, a Team, and the Game That Brought a Divided Town Together), and Meghan Healy-Clancy, Cynthia Fabrizio Pelak, and Mohlomi Kekeletso Maubane (researchers in history, sociology, and soccer).

I’m excited to share the news that Beka Ntsanwisi, founder of the Soccer Grannies team and recipient of countless awards for her community activism in Limpopo, will visit America for a week of book launch events. I will absolutely keep you posted.

Next steps for me are gathering advance reviews and publishing related essays from pieces that didn’t make it into the book. This promo is all in the interest of spreading the word. Book proceeds will be donated to the Beka Ntsanwisi Foundation,. It is Mama Beka’s actions that have earned her the moniker of Mother Teresa of Limpopo.

Meanwhile . . .

Beka has been busy organizing the South Africa Grannies International Soccer Tournament for to be held in Limpopo at the end of March. Twenty-four teams of women over 50 years old will compete from across Africa, Europe, and the U.S. We have three teams who will attend from the Boston area—52 travelers! We are super excited to visit our sister soccer team again and meet other football-loving women from around the world.

Two requests . . .

1. Please check out the Soccer Grannies endorsements at JeanDuffy.com.
2. I post and tweet updates on both the book and the tournament. If you are on Facebook, Instagram, or (gag) Twitter, please follow, like, share and all that good stuff. I have created special pages on Facebook and Instagram for the book, so even if we were already connected, this book focused page might be new. Here are the links:  

Facebook: Soccer Grannies Book
Instagram: Soccer Grannies Book
Twitter: Jean Duffy

Cheers!
Jean

August 19, 2022

Soccer Grannies – book cover reveal!

Hi there, friends and family!

I hope the summer is treating you well. I have a couple of book updates to share. I submitted my manuscript (about my sister soccer team in South Africa) to the publisher on July 1. The art designers finished the cover. I am excited to share it first with you, my newsletter peeps! I love the colors. And can you imagine, they even put my name on the front. Of course, my father-in-law had to ask if my name is above the title. Alas, Danielle Steel I am not.

The manuscript is now in the hands of the eagle-eyed copy editor. Meanwhile the publisher has sent copies to early readers for endorsements and I’m dipping my toe into these foreign-to-me book promotion waters. Oh yes, and the tentative publication date is May 10, 2023. Mark your calendars!
 
Here’s a photo of the Grannies who were interviewed for the book. I am honored that they have entrusted me to share some of their life stories. Check out my buddy Bull’s red sneakers — she’s SO cool.

Last but ABSOLUTELY not least, Mama Beka, founder of the Soccer Grannies, has been very busy planning the first Grannies International Soccer Tournament. It will be held in Limpopo at the end of March 2023. We have two or maybe three teams who will attend from the Boston area. I am very excited to visit our sister team again and participate in this tournament with other older women from around the world.

My request for today . . .
I plan to donate all book proceeds to the Mama Beka Foundation and you can help me boost those sales. If you have teammates, friends, or family who will be excited to read this book, please help me spread the word. Forward this email and encourage them to sign up for this newsletter at jeanduffy.com. Or simply send me their email addresses and I’ll be delighted to add them.
 
More soon!
Jean

May 7, 2022

A Mother’s Day Tribute

I wrote this piece about Mom a year ago.
Now she’s comfortable in palliative care and I sing at her bedside.

Much love to all the mothers.
Jean

March 31, 2022

It’s official! The Soccer Grannies and I have landed a book deal.

I am proud and honored that I will be able to share the story of Beka Ntsanwisi and the South African Soccer Grannies, a team of women forty to eighty years young. The joy and health benefits of playing soccer steel them with the strength and resiliency to meet life’s challenges. They teach us that age is no limit when you are doing what you love!

The book is scheduled to be published early summer 2023 before the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

September 6, 2021

Jean, the Loon-atic!

I had an essay, Wild Times in Loon Country, about my love of loons published in the New Hampshire Concord Monitor.

Enjoy!
Jean

May 5, 2021

My first newsletter!

I’m excited to share an essay published on WBUR Cognoscenti about my sister soccer team, the Soccer Grannies, during the pandemic—When We Couldn’t Meet on the Soccer Field, We Danced – 8,000 Miles Apart.

In case you are curious, my current list of newsletter recipients includes me, Mark, Karen, Kate, and Bev. Thanks for being my first supporters! 

XO
Jean