Women’s soccer match set for Wednesday at RALD Field
- Sheldon Longley
- Nov 28, 2023
- 0
The Bahamas women’s national football team is headed in the right direction, set to take on the US Virgin Islands (USVI) in its final match in 2023 Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Nations League competition as the ‘Road to CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup’ concludes for this year.
Coming off a clean sheet in their last match, at home, the team is anticipating an improved performance this Wednesday. The match against the USVI will take place at 3 p.m. on Wednesday at the Roscoe A.L. Davies (RALD) Soccer Field.
“This is a celebration of our team’s hard fought journey in this tournament. It is a significant moment for Bahamian women in football, and playing in front of home fans will boost them tremendously. It gives the Bahamian people an opportunity to see our women play at home and the support will only serve to give them a boost as they go after a victory in their final match of the CONCACAF W (Women’s) Road to the Gold Cup,” said Bahamas Football Association (BFA) Secretary General Carl Lynch.
The Bahamas started its rebirth in women’s football in September, taking on the Turks and Caicos Islands in an international friendly. Since then, they have taken on Grenada twice, losing both times, and drawing with the USVI. The team is confident of an improved performance on Wednesday to close out the ‘Road to CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup’ series this year.
“Despite facing adversity with some challenges, our team showed unwavering determination in competition thus far,” said team’s Head Coach Ricqea Bain. “Our improved scoreline reflects our team’s forward trajectory. The journey might not be as fast as we would like, but we are moving in the right direction, establishing a foundation for future success. We are learning from past mistakes and implementing new strategies. We aim to elevate our performance to secure a positive result on the field of play.
“With the majority of our players under 21 years of age, coupled with more exposure and development, our team is poised for continued improvement. We are looking to play with speed and we want to capitalize on the other team’s weaknesses. This is just the beginning for us. Our bright future includes experienced players contributing when they are available. We want to say thanks to our supporters. Your presence means a lot to us and we anticipate seeing you on Wednesday.”
One of the players for Team Bahamas, Rachel Rolle, a 20-year-old sophomore defender for the Allen University Yellow Jackets in Columbia, South Carolina, said she is more than excited to compete.
“We are set to put our best foot forward. We are all excited to play with each other and we look forward to a positive outcome,” she said.
Another player, 17-year-old striker Dianne Maillis said she is proud to be following in her father’s footsteps who experienced national team duty for The Bahamas in men’s soccer. She is looking forward to the opportunity to compete.
“It’s an honor to go out there and play for my country,” she said. “I have been working on my confidence on and off the ball. I just have to go out there and make the most of this opportunity. It is incredibly important that we have support in our final game and get that motivation that we need. I see a great future for women’s football in The Bahamas. I know that we are headed for greatness.”
The remaining team members are Rokesia Sands, Dalexis Huyler, Samantha Ramirez, Jada Thelamour, Jade Thelamour, Meaghan Smith, Samina Moss, Karen Wert, Janeka Edey, Kenyonique Thompson, Hadassah Knowles, Giselle Laing, Ashya Butler, Demitra Mcclure, Valtinique Simmons, Kyrah Miller, Kendi Outten and Raynia Russell.
Acting Director of Sports in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Kelsie Johnson-Sills said the team has the ministry’s full support, stating that the growth of women’s sports in the country is important to the ministry.
“Congratulations to the team. Women in sports is truly a good thing, and for us in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, it is all about building. I’m 10 toes in with everything behind them when it comes to their success in sports. It is a good team and they have a bright future,” she said. “We in the ministry will be backing the team in whatever they set out to do. We encourage Bahamians to come out on Wednesday and support them as they continue to go for gold.”
Just The Bahamas, the USVI and Grenada compete out of League C in CONCACAF Nations League competition for this year. The team is anticipating advancement to League B, and eventually League A, in the not too distant future.