The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

For the first time in about three decades, the Bahamas senior women’s national soccer team will get a chance to compete on the international stage just like their male counterparts.

With Anya James as the first woman serving at the helm as president as well, the Bahamas Football Association announced the CONCACAF Women’s Road to Gold Cup.

The journey for the women will begin on Wednesday when they host Grenada at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium beginning at 7pm before they head to Grenada to play on Sunday at 4pm.

Playing out of League C and Group C, the Bahamas will only have to play one other team, the US Virgin Islands, whom they will travel to play in October and host here in November, according to the BFA’s technical director Bruce Swan.

“It has been a struggle over the years since most of our players, after finishing high school, would have moved on to university and colleges,” Swan said.

“It’s important for the growth of women from the Bahamas to play the game beyond university and the decision was taken to enter into the women’s Gold Cup.”

The winner of their Group will advance to play the winner of Group B to determine who will move on. Only one team will advance from the Group to the Gold Cup.

In their quest to advance, the BFA named the following players to the team: Raynia Russell and Melina McClure (goalkeepers), Diane Maillis, Brianna Capron, Tyra McKenzie, Samina Moss, Edissa Bain, Dalexis Huyler, Angel Williams, Liah Rae Tucker, Jada Thelamour, Demitra McClure, Kyrah Miller, Janeka Edey, Giselle Laing, Jodei Clarke, Karen Wert, Rachel Rolle, Megan Wood, Valtrinique Simmons, Taleah Thompson, Hadassah Knowles and Kaitlyn Rolle.

As a backdrop with the slogan: “Women, who win,” James said she’s delighted to be in the role during a monumental stage as they mark a new chapter in women’s soccer in the country as it embodies a spirit, resilience and determination.

“Our team, which stands as a beacon of hope, talent and perseverance, resonates perfectly with our mantra women, who win and indeed every stride that they take on the field, every goal they aim for and every challenge they overcome, they do so as winners.

“However, this moment is not just about participating. It’s about showing the tenacity, talent and spirit of Bahamian women. It’s about breaking barriers, setting benchmarks and inspiring the next generation to dream even bigger.”

James expressed her gratitude who have all been a part of the women’s journey, including the players, coaching staff and unsung heroes behind the scenes, they have arrived, and they wish that their fans will rally around and provide the support needed for the women’s team to win.

Head coach Ricqea Bain said the team’s dedication and energy resonates with their slogan and they have to go out on Wednesday and accomplish their goal of winning.

Bain, a former coach of the junior national team, said they will field a team that includes seven high school players two of whom are based in the United States, along with a core group between the ages of 20-23 and two players ranging in 28-29.

“It was easy to get them together because locally we play on one league, so we were already messed together and it was just a matter of bringing everyone together to play at the same time,” Bain said.

In reference to playing at home, Bain said she’s elated.

“We’ve been doing this for a while, but we keep stopping at the Youth 17 age, so it’s awesome for us to be home to celebrate that we are going to play our first game at home and win at home.”

With the team assembled, Bain said she’s confident that they can beat Grenada and will make everybody home proud of their accomplishments.

“This is just the beginning of our journey, so there’s no pressure to go out there and win,” Bain said. “We know what we can do and what we won’t do in the next couple of months because this is a competition that is here to stay.”

Two of the players on the team, returning home from college, were Melina McClure and Rachel Rolle.

McClure, a 19-year-old goalkeeper, said they are electrified to be in this position to represent the country. She noted that they have been training really hard and they a game plan that they hope to execute as they forge ahead to success.

The University of Colorada, Colorado Springs sophomore noted that she’s excited about playing at home.

“So many people dream of this happening to them and to have this kind of impact on everyone, especially for future generation of players, so I think we’re all ecstatic,” she said.

On the team selection, McClure said they couldn’t have put together such a line-up.

“I see the improvement, even just over the last few months,” she pointed out. “I think we are strong. I see our game plan that we have, and I think we can make it pretty far personally. I have very high hopes.”

And Rolle, 20, said while there are no words to describe their participation in the games, they are prepared to put their best foot forward literally and fugitively as they do their best and play their game.

“I’m extremely excited to be back at home,” said Rolle, a sophomore at Allen University in Colombia, South Carolina. “Not only excited, but I’m also honored to come back to play for my team, to showcase our talent as a group and to show our country what we can do as a team.”

On the team selected, Rolle, who played on the national team for four years, said she’s confident in everyone’s ability as they go out and dominate their group.

Adam Miller, a Sports Officer at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, said they fully support the women’s national team in their journey through the Gold Cup.

“It’s really important to have this national team being able to compete at home,” he said. “It provides people an opportunity to see women’s football and the potential and growth that it has over the years and the future for the sport.

“One of the mandates for the ministry is about growing the game for all and I think having a women’s national team being able to compete at an international level is vital for that vision. So, it’s really good to see that the Bahamas Football Association is setting a mandate again and setting a standard for women’s international representation.”

Entry fee for the game on Wednesday is $20 for adults and $5 for children under the age of 13.

The women’s team follows on the heels of the men’s national team, which has already started playing in the CONCACAF Nations League. Playing out of League B and Group D, the Bahamas lost 6-1 to Puerto Rico on September 6 and 3-2 to Guyana on September 12 in their first two games played.