June 2012


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UWI girls kicking it

By Sean Taylor

Last season the UWI men’s team clinched the tertiary football league championship final for the fourth year in a row. Their campaign wasn’t comparable to previous years in terms of dominance, but their collective effort was still enough to consolidate first place. In the world of tertiary football, UWI has developed a reputation for their quality. An already staggering trophy cabinet is a testament to their superiority. So when the UWI women placed second in the Eddie Hart Women’s League last season, it was an achievement that went understandably unnoticed.

The UWI women’s team has lived in the shadow of its male peers for years, but they seem ready to emerge.

The women’s team has been around for three years and have been guided under the auspices of men’s team coach Hayden Martin and fitness and assistant coach Denise Arneaud. Without fail this dedicated group trains three times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5pm until 7pm. Karesia Alexis who is one of the team’s latest recruits, never played football before attending UWI, but has been integrated into the team without a problem. “I think the mix between the senior players and newcomers is a good thing because the seniors help us along the way.” she said.

Balancing sport and education definitely applies here, and several members of the team attest to it.

“There is the physical aspect of it, as I personally don’t believe in doing schoolwork only. You have to be balanced. It’s a different atmosphere to just having your head in your school books and schoolwork all the time. It’s relaxing, as well as the physical part where you keep active and fit; which is just as important as your school work,” said Captain Sterle Timothy when asked what was on offer to someone wanting to join. Seasoned campaigner Candacé Brewster, formerly from the St. George’s College and Petrotrin football teams said socialisation, teamwork and the opportunity to travel to represent your country were valuable benefits.

Three years of football competition has brought a lot of valuable experience to the squad. They participated in the UWI Games in 2011 and were defeated by both the Cave Hill and Mona teams. However in last season’s women’s league, they finished in second place—an achievement which has left them very optimistic about this year’s campaign. Captain Timothy said that although they placed second last season in the Eddie Hart League and Knockout they want to move forward from that, build on what they learned and come out on top this time. The positive approach to their long term goals is embodied by the skipper who also believes that they can eventually surpass the achievements of the men’s team as long as they put in the hard work and practice, even with the constant squad rotation caused by exams and other factors. Regardless of this, the UWI women seem on course for big things this season. Look out for them.