Futbol shoes & triumphs, size: Women’s Large

I am happy to report that the very first Women’s adult futbol team I worked with during my first 6 months of arriving in Vanuatu has outrun my expectations. The Santo rural team of Port Olry village, has had 2 major winnings, the first was when we first started & I was coaching them, back in August 2008, I took this team of women ages 16-24, some married, some still in high school, some with kids, some working, etc. We went to the Women’s National Futbol Tournament held on Malekula Island in which 7 other teams representing the Provinces and the urban areas came to compete. Some of the teams had been playing rigorously and some, such as the urban teams, had been competing for years even on an international level. The tournament was part of the FIFA effort to increase women’s play in the sport, all women, all ages, and all areas. They came with borrowed uniforms, no shoes, 1 ball, and motivation to prove women are capable no matter where they are from. With proper training, support, nutrition, and funding; these women were able to travel & compete in a sport and make a change in Vanuatu. As a team, they showed much interest and dedication. We ended up taking 3rd place out of an 8 team pool. I was so proud and surprised to have such an experience at such an early time in my service.

Port Olry Team representing SANMA Province, 2008.

Fast forward to January 2010- the team I worked with in Santo took second place at the Vanuatu National games held this past Christmas. I was unable to attend the matches yet I heard they all had shoes, and some of the same girls I had coached in 2008 were active players on the team. I couldn’t be more proud that they stuck with it, that they were motivated and found a way to fund their passion for the game. These women, like many throughout the world, have the skills and the desire to be Olympic athletes. I am grateful and idyllic to have been a part of this women’s athletic movement.