Raymond Sensalire Gala

Where it all began

Football has been a huge part of my life and has played a major role in shaping the person I am today. My journey began with Stockport Junior Blues, where I developed my passion for the game and started learning the importance of discipline, commitment, teamwork and believing in yourself.

Stepping into men’s football

I later progressed to Hyde United FC, before joining the PFA (Pro Football Academy) and continuing my development. At the age of 16, I took the step into men’s football with Stockport Town FC, mainly playing as a striker, while also being able to play in attacking positions including right forward (RF) and other wide attacking roles.

Moving into men’s football at a young age was an important stage of my development. It taught me to adapt quickly, compete against older and more experienced players, handle pressure and become more responsible both on and off the pitch. Playing as an attacker also taught me about confidence, movement, decision-making, creativity and taking opportunities when they came.

A major milestone: Stockport County FC

As my journey continued, I was fortunate to have opportunities to progress further, including being invited to Macclesfield FC, which I appreciated as another important experience in my development. I ultimately went on to join Stockport County FC, which became a major milestone in my football journey.

My time at Stockport County FC gave me the opportunity to experience an environment built around high standards, professionalism, discipline, competition and teamwork. Being around that level of football pushed me to raise my own standards and understand the importance of preparation, consistency, listening, learning and always looking for ways to improve.

Lessons from the game

Football also taught me that success is rarely achieved on your own. You rely on teammates, coaches, staff and the people around you. You learn how to communicate, accept feedback, deal with setbacks, stay motivated and keep working towards your goals even when things don’t go exactly as planned.

Those experiences have had a lasting impact on me. The values I developed through football — discipline, resilience, teamwork, leadership, confidence and perseverance — are values I carry with me today.

They are also a major part of why I created GalaActiveUK.

Our goal

A big part of GalaActiveUK is creating opportunities for people to connect, socialise and feel less alone. Loneliness and social isolation are things I hate to see. During my football journey, I saw people come to games on their own because being around others gave them a chance to socialise and stay connected.

That stayed with me.

I want GalaActiveUK to create more of those opportunities — a place where people can come along, meet others, make friendships, enjoy activities and feel that they belong.

GalaActiveUK is about much more than activities. It is about people, connection and community.

My goal is to build a community where people feel welcomed, valued, heard and proud to be part of something positive.

Connect • Socialise • Enjoy Life • Belong 💙💚