Latest update April 25th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 15, 2009 Sports
One year after his official appointment as the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Women’s National Development Officer, Mark Rodrigues is seeing his vision and hard work become a reality.
The Guyana Women’s National Footballers are about to open their account on June 17 against Turks and Caicos at that country’s Women’s International Football Festival.
According to a release, Guyana will be playing three games over the five days they will be on the T&C Islands.
The players are primarily international players performing at the professional level, some that were (at one time) part of the Canadian national and provincial programmes, the USA and Canadian collegiate level, and also high level club players enroute to playing at college in the US and Canada. Four players would travel from Guyana to participate as well.
Several of the international players have taken the field under coach, Mark, (as he is known) at some point during their careers, while others have played against him or heard about this programme thru various football sources and contacts.
Coach Mark’s vision does not end in Turks & Caicos. He plans on pole vaulting this programme even further through the success they achieve in T&C, by using it to recruit even more players in the months and years to follow. Additional plans are also afoot to host a football camp later in the year in Florida, while inviting even more quality players to participate, in order to select the strongest possible team for World Cup 2011 qualifying, which starts at the end of 2009.
The release stated that, one year ago, it all started with a dream, which became a vision with only one player. Today the roster boasts 23 players aged Under-15 to Under-28. None of this would have become a reality without the assistance and support of several individuals.
Chief on the list is Mr. Colin Klass – President of the GFF, who has endorsed and fully supported this programme from the beginning, both financially and as needed. In a recent conference call (Klass/Rodrigues/Baker), Mr. Klass reiterated his continued support for the programme and praised Mr. Rodrigues’ vision, dedication and commitment stating: “Mark, We do need many more like you. You were available when we needed someone to fill the gap. We will work together for the good of the game.”
Another such person is Mr. Colin Baker – President of the Guyana Sports Development Foundation, USA who has helped to guide the programme along from its inception. Looking after such things as the designing of the uniforms, the sizing, ordering, etc…Press releases, budgeting, and liaison with the GFF and others involved to make this a success. Without his help and support, this programme would have never reached this stage so quickly and efficiently.
Also Ms. Vanessa Dickenson has come in for praise for her support from Guyana, recruiting players and getting the job done to help build and grow the game, while giving the players from Guyana this great opportunity to be exposed on such a large stage.
Sixteen players will make up the roster traveling to Turks & Caicos on June 17. Among them is Ashley Rodrigues, who is a former Canadian National Under-15 team member in 2005, Ontario Provincial team member and captain 2003-2004.
The squad:
Alison Heydorn, Alyssa Budhoo, Ashley Rodrigues, Ashley Savona, Briana DeSouza, Donna Carvalhal, Justine Rodrigues, Kaitlyn Wong You, Kayla DeSouza, Leonie Robinson, Nikkita Persad, Odessa Rameo, Rehanna Murani, Roxanne Stephen, Tarissa Stanislous, Bailey McKendrick.
Delegation/Staff:
Colin Baker – Head of Delegation, Vanessa Dickenson – GFF Representative, Guyana, Mark Rodrigues -Technical Director, Chris Brown – Coach, Rohan Naraine – Coach,
Ali Tabrizi – Goalkeeper Coach
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