Local female footballers call for BVIFA to do better
Some players on the national women’s football team are calling on the BVI Football Association (BVIFA) to invest more in sports and address its so-called lacklustre approach towards developing the female team’s game.
Speaking with JTV News last week, three women – Kimberly Smith, Morgan Creque and Lil-Makeda Fahie – who represented the BVI in their recently concluded Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Women’s World Cup Qualifying said the tournament was difficult for the BVI women’s team.
Fahie said one of the major issues was the fitness of the team. She noted most of the players work and it was hard to get efficient and sufficient time to get in shape.
“If you ask other women who played before us, they will testify that at the national level, it is a reoccurring theme that when we have these things coming up, the [BVI]FA tends to wait a bit too late to get us in shape. Since these last games, before then, we hadn’t really done anything. Even in the local league here we do not play that often,” Fahie said.
“Our younger players are more in shape because they have the time. I would say discipline among the players was a problem, but it is kind of a meet-me-halfway kind of thing. We were trying to negotiate certain things and every time we expressed ourselves, we were met with defence. It was never met with an open mind or some consideration. We were always shut down and everything was seen as an attack,” she added.
21-0 defeat
Creque noted that after their game against Haiti where they lost 21-0, the team saw on social media where other women’s football teams were sending letters to their associations and the BVI’s team decided to follow the same template as they recognised it was the only way they were going to be heard.
“We never had an after-tournament meeting. So, we decided that we were going to take this route as a team. The women were going to have to hold hands and go together for this want of change. So, we decided to write a letter and list all the points we wanted to change. We wanted a physiotherapist, we need different medicals, changes in coaching, and management and we sent it off to the FA. We said we will give them about two days to respond and all we got was ‘received your letter, we read your letter’,” Creque added.
Smith also added that the BVI is facing teams that have professionals in their ranks while the current team is made up of amateur players. She added the FA needed to do what is best for the women’s game and focus on the group of players it has.
Smith noted the existing regiment and formation of the women’s team try to reflect that of the men’s team but she said this cannot work as the women’s team, at this stage, is not as skilled or fit as the men’s team.
“We cannot go off how the men play because we are not as fit as the men, we don’t have the skills. It is different. You cannot put us in a formation like the men’s team when we are not at the level they are. We are not them,” she added.
You can’t get professional players without professionalism
Meanwhile, all three players agreed that with further investment in the female programme, the women’s game can be furthered in the territory.
“We have people that can play, we have people that can be professionals. But we need to focus on our strengths and weaknesses and build from there. We can be where Haiti is at. We just need the resources to do that. They are not paying attention to us enough for us to be playing professionally. You cannot get professional players if you do not have professionalism in any way,” Smith said.
First-ever payment
Creque also highlighted this was the first tournament she got paid to represent the national team and she has been playing since 2014.
“We only just started getting paid. This tournament, I can testify for myself since I have been playing since 2014, is the first tournament I have been paid for. I can testify other men have been getting paid way before. But I don’t think any women in the BVI have gotten paid before,” Creque said.
“We come against professionals. They play football in the morning, at lunch and in the evenings. We don’t have those schedules. And it is not just because of work. If we were paid enough to stop our jobs and actually dedicate our time, we would have done it,” she added.
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Ayo goal should be to score a goal first and foremost
They did score a goal. Vs SVG
You have some good points, however this is elite football, you turn up fit, you don’t get fit by the coaches after making the team. Agreed that standards must be raised for women’s football.
Unfortunately they are deluded. Can they not see how entitled they sound?
They need to be fit to start with. That is their responsibility.
They want to be professional? Who do they think is going to pay them to play full time? Do they think the Haiti players play professionally in Haiti? No! They have had to join teams in France etc. AND be good enough and dedicated enough.
They want the same prize money as the men in the BVI yet there are only 4 teams and not even enough players to play 11 a-side. The men’s league has many teams who have organised themselves.
Deluded!
Maybe they would have more than 4 female teams if the Association put as much time and effort into the women as they do the men. They get the money to do so every year. I do agree that the players should also be responsible for their own fitness, but they have to be met half way.
The Association is only a small part of it.
They do not organise clubs or teams. That is done by volunteers who love the game and want to be involved. The clubs then apply to join the association.
Stupid comment, the ladies have only asked for more support. Your mindset would keep them down, do us all a favor and shut up.
Whilst they have some reasonable points especially around feedback from the coaches, can they not see how entitled they sound?
They need to be fit to start with. That is their responsibility.
They want to be professional? Who do they think is going to pay them to play full time? Do they think the Haiti players play professionally in Haiti? No! They have had to join teams in France etc. AND be good enough and dedicated enough.
They want the same prize money as the men in the BVI yet there are only 4 teams and not even enough players to play 11 a-side. The men’s league has many teams who have organised themselves.
Deluded!
Sorry this made me laugh. It is the players that has to go and get fit. There are loads of gyms and even if you work – if you want to play top league football you get up early and work at it. Yes you need game skills but a bunch of the ball skills and fitness can be done on your own. Why does everyone want it done for them? Make it happen yourself. You can organise woman foorbal practices – it doesn’t have to come from the BVIFA. Look at what the Manatees team does on Saturday morning for kids. Has nothing to do with BVIFA. These three ladies need to do something similar for female football
I think the comments here are unfair to the ladies. If the association want to compete against other countries they are the ones to ensure the team is fit and ready. Ensure a schedule is set up months in advance. Fitness, development of skills etc. the team is not representing themselves they are representing the country. The association has let them down big time.
Why are you shocked? If it was three girls from Cedar even our own people would be heaping praise on them and feeling for them. The young ladies are obviously trying their best and are simply using the platform to bring awareness and seek support for themselves and the young ladies coming after them. The bashing is not necessary as they clearly appear to be genuine in what they are saying and hoping for. Perhaps they can get together and seek sponsorships, start fundraisers and plan farther ahead of any tournaments etc. if they want to be taken as seriously as they are saying. Good luck ladies!
While I see where some points maybe doable I’m trying to understand the part of being fit… how is it the coach responsibility to get y’all fit!!?? That means y’all don’t practice at home either because the coach isn’t there!? If you really want to be better at something get up and discipline yourself and get your body in tact!!
Just like how y’all came together and go to the news site y’all could come together on y’all own and go get fit together… get up at 5am go take runs on the beach etc…
It is not all on the coaches take accountability for y’all selves as well
While i agree they do have the responsibility to be fit…
But in their argument, the FA has fitness training for the men…so why not the women?
they better try playing chess.. cause 21-0 no sah.. were players on the field?
Some of the comments are way out in left field, while the players do have some responsibility to get fit, we need to have a group say of 25 women. Both strength fitness and skills training could take place say over and 8/9month period yearly, I surely believe this will help the players and coaches gel better and have a comprehensive game plan. this is on the association to organise.
Did any of you watch the interview? Some of the comments here clearly show why the BVI is behind in many sectors. The ladies are right in demanding more from the BVIFA. You all keep saying that they are responsible for their fitness, however fitness isn’t only being physically prepared, it’s the mental etc. They are right in highlighting that they require more practice games. You all are so busy in bashing the ladies that you missed the whole point. You can clearly see that in the games they have played, they have nor played together much. Let us not pretend like we see how the women footballers are treated compared to their male counterparts. If they are treated better, we would see better results. That is the bottom line. We can all see how corrupt the BVI is, the BVIFA included.
I think that we need to give more attention to sports on a whole. We want to be represented overseas and get 100%, but we are not putting in 100% in our athletes or players.
Where was the interview hosted?
The stories related by these young ladies are true and they should be commended for speaking out.
The BVIFA administration did a poor job planning and organization the tournament. Not sufficient time were allowed for training and the results are evidence of same.
You cannot participate in a tournament without preparatory games leading up. Imagine allowing the BVIFA PR officer to select two UK nationals to play with the national team; no issues with selecting other playing but at least get two skilled players. Plus there is an active accusation of sexual harassment against the BVIFA *** and these is no evidence the the BVIFA officials are addressing these. Perhaps the media will be interested in interview other females in the BVIFA female team.
I think that we need to give more attention to sports on a whole. We want to be represented overseas and get 100%, but we are not putting in 100% in our athletes or players.
Organize a tournament for women see how well it does. Poor attendance due to no interest. The best of the bunch is usually from here either. Many are picked on bh not merit. They get picked up and dropped off. Kits and a bunch of other stuff but watch the practice sessions, how enthusiastic they prepare you’ll shake your head. If you’re not interested don’t turn up is all. The fa can throw money at it will the mindset change I doubt it. Some are entitled hence their fielding of what the want. How was the practice how was your performance oh no that’s the coaches job you’re just a cog in the wheel that can’t run.
We should be asking what happened to the monies paid for the first charter that did not show up. We should be ask if the BVIFA treated our girls properly and with respect regarding hotels and other basic necessities. For example, the Haiti team members were placed by Maria by the Sea whist our girls were asked to stay at Seaview Hotel
I wonder if the BVIFA Will issue an offi al statement why the game was played at A.O.Shirley ground instead of the multimillion East End Stadium
where were you going to sit to watch the game? On the wall and block up the roadways??? Strupppes
I suspect that most of the comments in favor of the BVIFA are blogs from their officials. Rumors are that the East End Ground did not meet the specifications when FIFA officials inspected same prior to the tournament and that is the reason why the game was played in A.O. Ground.
The BVIFA can simply issue a statement that would dispel rumors. Too many inefficiencies and incompetence of teh General Secretary and her team are been covered cover at the detriment of the BVI PLAYERS
BVIFA, what about the player who was seriously injured during a game some years ago, who was left to pay her own dental medical bills.
The President of the BVIFA, his Executive, Technical Director TD and its Coaches have left a lot to be desired for many years now as their alleged lack of professionalism, lack of seriousness in implementing and executing a proper Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) plan that will lead to a successful legacy in the sport of football. The general opinion is that they have simply shown themselves to be clueless as to what proper sporting development is.
Imagine, that the TD is in England most of the time and not in the British Virgin Islands where he is employed. So how can he effectively run and deliver any sort of successful development program in football here from the Grassroots, Youth, Senior Football, Performance Analysis etcetera? Also, one has to wonder about if the BVIFA has a Talent and Scouting Department to discover young and emerging players.
Now for the British Virgin Islands Women’s Football Teams. It has been alleged by multiple sources that a lot of these players are lazy, incompetent, ill-disciplined, rude to Coaches, unpatriotic and unwilling to go beyond the call for their country. Many times I watched them train and they were lethargic, insubordinate and lacking the basic acumen, work ethic, passion, skillset amongst other attributes to become world beaters.
How can a National Sports Team train for a competition without the required complement of players? Football at international senior level is 11 a side plus subs but for some strange reason they miraculously didn’t mention their alleged absenteeism from Training. Imagine that the recently concluded CONCACAF competitions were on the horizon but it is widely reported that only about 5 to 7 players would show up at practice and then the blame was fired at the BVIFA and Coaching Staff after the mauling from Haiti. It was further mentioned by sources that they miraculously showed up to board the free flight to the Tournament where they were soundly beaten.
A letter of complaint by the Women’s Team was recently circulating in the Territory and what struck me was an issue they had with the Coaches for not helping them improve their technical deficiencies as players. Au contraire lassies, at the Elite, Professional or International level, you must be already equipped with proper IQ, technical, physical, social and psychological levels etcetera to become a vital cog in the Tactical Environment of the Head Coach and Staff.
In conclusion, if they are so motivated to improve, why isn’t there footage with the local based players training together at the gym or the various fields in the Territory or also molding future talents? They have to also shoulder a lot of the blame that they want to cast on others. Listening to their interview, it is clear that they have no clue on football tactics, language or what is required of them but are throwing shade at the Coaches. You could have never beaten Haiti, an Under 10 Girls Team or anyone for that matter because you all do not apply yourselves professionally. Please do not fool yourselves or us for that matter. While I empathize with them a wee bit, they must also be held accountable for their actions. Stop blaming others for your shortcomings and show us how much you truly desire to represent the people of the British Virgin Islands.
If the ladies haven’t been treated properly year after year, do you think they would be motivated? If you’re mistreated, would you not be discouraged? It’s not about throwing blame, it’s about uplifting the state of the Women’s program on a whole. I’m am 100% sure that if there’s an overhaul of the management and the BVIFA hire people who are competent and willing to help the ladies, we’d see better results.