THE NATIONAL SPORTS COUNCIL’S (NSC) women’s football
team was the toast of the town on Saturday when they were honoured at a cocktail reception and awards presentation at the Cricket Legends Pavilion.
After a highly successful year that saw them lift both the Barbados Cup and the Women’s National League title while playing unbeaten throughout the season, it was a fitting reward.
The team also set a record for the most goals scored in a season, netting 59 times on their way to winning 14 of their 16 games and drawing two.
The NSC’s deputy director of sport Neil Murrell, in his brief remarks, urged the footballers to continue to strive for greatness and not to rest on their laurels.
Despite the fact that women’s football in Barbados was not as developed as it should be, he said, it was important that they continue to improve their game and work towards their goals.
“You need to keep pressing on. It is important for women, it is important for the sport and it is important for Barbados that you do.
“It is not beyond our reach to compete internationally at FIFA tournaments. I know that we may have had some rough beginnings but with a group of talented players such as yourselves, anything is possible.”
Mona Alleyne, assistant director of sport at the NSC, also encouraged the players to keep up the good work, while reminding their parents that it was necessary to give their children their full support.
“Somewhere down the road, [it] will bring them rewards. Don’t see it as a bother to take them to games or watch them from the sidelines,” she said.
“Make sure they develop to their full potential and that they are confident in whatever they do.”
For captain of the winning team, Kamilah Burke, the results attained were due to the team’s commitment, hard work and the help of the NSC coaches.
“The girls really played their hearts out this season and they gave 110 per cent every time they stepped onto the field,” she said.
“Our main goal was to get to the end and see the stars and we achieved that,” she added amid thunderous applause.
