A 22 member National Women’s Football team has been selected to represent the British Virgin Islands in their upcoming CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers in Honduras.
This was confirmed in a media release from the BVI Football Association (BVIFA) which said that the team will be departing the territory this Thursday, to represent the BVI in their first ever senior World Cup game.
The full squad includes: captain Ariel Mohamed (Wolues FC), Kimberly Smith (Wolues FC), Britney Peters (Avengers FC), Darci Reich (Wolues FC), Zolita Bamford (Wolues FC), Sheniece St Jean (University of Maine), Keeley Brickhouse (Holland FC), Chandni Wattley (Panthers FC), Kezia Gumbs (VG Utd), Shevonne Vanterpool (Avengers FC), Kara Lewis (Panthers FC), Jmya Mark (Avengers FC), Gabrielle Jermyn (Wolues FC), Lil-Makeda Fahie (Avengers FC), Zariya Smith (Panthers FC), Olivia Messum (De Montfort University), Morgan Creque (Panthers FC), Jasmine Cox (Holland FC) , Zina Cheikh (Oakham FC), Alicia King (De Montfort University), Jackisha Rigobert (VG Utd) and Kiara Woodley (Wolues FC).
The other members also traveling with the team includes: Head Coach Wayne Phillip, Assistant Coach Jeffrey Demming, Team Physio Sheldon Harry, Manager Linda Magloire and Logistics and Equipment Manager Priya Mohamed
Captain Mohamed spoke on the training that the team underwent prior to their departure, which included a long weekend camp at the East End / Long Look venue which just concluded.
She said, “We have been training very consistently as we focus on qualifying for the Women’s World Cup.”
“We have just concluded a two-night residential football camp where we were able to work on our fitness and sharpen our skills together as a team. Everyone is extremely optimistic about the opportunity to represent the BVI on the international stage and about our match-up first with Cuba then Honduras. We are pleased with the assistance and support from the Football Association, coaches and the public,” Mohamed added.
Manager Bernice Magliore said that participation in the World Cup Qualifiers is a historical moment, adding that her expectation for girls is for them “to learn, grow, and take as much as they can from the experience of playing internationally.
She said, “I want them to develop a mindset that one day they can get to the next level, and that with dedication, adequate preparation, and physical conditioning they will get there. This is a start of a journey, and the BVI National Women Team are going places.”
The first game will be against Cuba on February 19 at 17.30pm (BVI time), while their second game is scheduled for February 22 against home team Honduras.