The first Official All Female Soccer Team established on St. Maarten the Oualichi Women’s Soccer team, has made its first public appearance at an exhibition match at the St. Maarten Soccer Educational Foundation (SSEF) School Tournament at the Johan Cruyf field on Saturday. The Oualichi Soccer Team has been training for nearly three months at the new Christian Hillside School Gym in Cay Hill to hone the team’s soccer skills and the match was the first field-play for the team.
The match featured thirteen ladies split into two teams playing against each other on the football pitch for the first time and featured goals from Danae Daal, Rachel Hofdom, Lieneke Haandrikman, and Marije Lodewijks. The Exhibition Match was won by the Green Team over the Blue Team 4-2 and also featured defensive and offensive play from Alexandra den Ouden, Fleur Hermanides, Guerda Fremont, Kyra Katsman, Martine Burger, Suenah Martis, Thalysia Rojer and Stacy-ann Taylor and Odessa Ashby.
The match was played right after the official opening of the SSEF Twentieth Anniversary School Tournament and featured amongst the enthusiastic spectators the Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Hon. Sarah Wescot-Williams, Deputy Prime Minister the Hon. William Marlin and Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Affairs the Hon. Silveria Jacobs.
Team Founder and Manager Danae Daal commented that she was proud and happy to play the first match on an outside field since the ladies started to train in November. "I feel proud and happy to play with and against my teammates in this exhibition match, showcasing our skills and making our debut as the first all-female senior soccer team for St. Maarten. I would like to thank Coach David and the SSEF Board and especially the girls for not only making today possible but for all working together to represent female football on St. Maarten," stated Daal.
The launching of the team was a first for St. Maarten, with previously women having to join school teams or train on their own. The name of the team is also unique as Oualichi, one of the original Arawak names for the St. Maarten, means Land of Strong Women. The Management for the team is appealing to the business community for sponsoring St. Maarten’s first official female soccer team. For more information please contact oualichisoccer@gmail.com.