Female footballers off to Guyana

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Senior Women’s Football team has much stacked against it as it seeks to overcome hurdles on and off the field.

Despite being in training for the better part of a year, the team rarely had the use of a full-sized field for any sustained period.{{more}}

The team, however, in August of last year, toured Barbados for two friendly internationals. Additionally, the players were involved in several practice matches against local teams, mainly Under-17 male units.

That was the extent of their match preparations.

But, just over a week prior to their departure for the lone English-speaking South American territory, the team suffered another setback when it lost one of its players, central midfielder Matika Ferdinand, who passed away following a brief illness.

A four-day camp from last Friday evening to last Tuesday was not without its hitches, as players complained of sub-standard accommodation and inadequate meals.

Reports are also that the camp lacked firm control by the team’s management, and may have worked against their objectives of bonding as a unit.

However, the team of aspirants left here last Tuesday morning driven by inner strength to give of their best, and at least represent St. Vincent and the Grenadines to the best of their abilities, instead of dwelling on their obstructions.

Included are three overseas-based players in Kandis Franklyn, who is based at the Mavorra College in Texas; Amashine Springer, a Vincentian who resides in Barbados, and who plays for Pro Shotta FC in that island’s competition, and the experienced Ava Robertson who plays with Net Rockers in Grand Turks, Turks and Caicos Islands.

Franklyn is a midfield player, while Springer is a defender, and Robertson, a midfielder.

Robertson was expected to join the team in Guyana, from her adopted home.

The team is led by Akira Samuel, who is a defender. Other defenders in the team are Amolis Marshall, Keisha Morgan, Kemisha Stephens and Roxanne Hannaway.

The two others selected for midfield duties are Ria Trimmingham and Shelley Browne and Franella Quashie, Kasilda James, Shadel Cyrus, Junelyn Nanton, Jessica Miller and Romancea Sutherland, who replaced Ferdinand, are the out and out strikers.

The utility players are Asha Richards and Coreen Yorke.

The two Vice Captains, Hollister Browne and Sheree Ann John, are the two specialists Goal Keepers selected.

Kendale Mercury is the Head Coach, while Cornelius Huggins is the team’s Assistant. Dana Joshua will carry out the managerial duties. Denis Byam is the Physiotherapist, with Kathy Badenock, who was set to miss the first match, because of work related commitments, as the Fitness Conditioner. Kevin Richardson is the Goal Keeper Coach and Kit Manager. Sammy Carrington, the SVGFF Technical Director, oversees the team’s play.

Carrington told SEARCHLIGHT minutes prior to their departure bound for Barbados en route to Guyana that he was quietly confident that the team can do well, but did not give forthright optimism.

“If we play lower pressure, we can do well in all our games,” Carrington projected.

Carrington said that he has seen some improvements in the team since he took up the post four months ago.

The Vincentians lost to Suriname last Wednesday one nil in their opening encounter.

Their last match in the group is against the host country, Guyana, on Sunday, but this time from 3 pm.

To the time of the team’s departure last Tuesday, team management was still not aware of the venue for the matches, thus adding to the their woes.

However, SEARCHLIGHT was able to confirm that the matches will be played at the Guyana Cricket Club Ground.