Post by markilizer on Jul 2, 2013 16:36:19 GMT 8
Being a Maldita: An honor and a privilege
by Camille Wilson
MY NAME is Camille Wilson. I am seventeen years old, and I am a Maldita.
It is truly an honor and a privilege to wear the colors of the country of my heritage. It did not come easy. Becoming part of the Philippine Women’s National Football Team requires enduring energy and dedication. I have played hundreds of games, and spent many weekends in the soccer fields in sweltering heat, freezing temperature, and pounding rain. I have missed parties and fun events, and spent several birthdays (mine and family’s) on the road.
My journey in becoming a Maldita started when I was five years old, getting the inspiration for playing soccer from my older brother, Mark. I played three years in the city’s house league, followed by five years playing for Novato United starting with the U-10 travel team when I was eight years old. I joined my current club team of Marin FC when I was thirteen and I also sweated it out with the California (North) Olympic Development Program (ODP) State team for two years.
All this hard work was put to the test during the Philippine National Team’s recruiting camp in November 2012 and March 2013 in Southern California. Coach Ernie Nierras wanted to include Fil-Am and Fil-Canadian soccer players on the team. Being the youngest, I felt nervous and intimidated trying out alongside older and more talented players who also play for some of America’s top Division I colleges. It certainly challenged me to apply all that I have learned of the sport and raise my level of playing. And, it all paid off as I made it to the national team roster!
The first event for the new Malditas was the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup’s qualifying games to be hosted by the Bangladesh Football Federation in Dhaka, Bangladesh from May 21 to 25, 2013. The Philippines was in Group B with Iran, Thailand, and Bangladesh. Two weeks before the games, I flew to Manila with my mom to train with the other twenty-five players who made it to the short list. It was an intense preparation. We trained four hours every day in hot and humid weather, 6:00 to 8:00 in the morning and 4:00 to 6:00 in the late afternoon. I treasured this time because this was when I bonded and got close to twenty-five wonderful ladies who instantly became my sisters. They are my “Ates” whom I share the same heritage, and the same love for the game. They inspired and encouraged me to become a better player.
Finally, we were ready for the games. We arrived in the capital city of Dhaka on May 18. No amount of distressing news about collapsed factories, constant riot clashes, or dire work and living conditions of urban workers can prepare me and my teammates for the challenges that lie ahead of us. The ongoing problem of corruption in the country has caused no economic growth, horrendous traffic mess, unsanitary living conditions, widespread poverty and sense of hopelessness. We witnessed these in the eight days we were in Bangladesh. This experience reinforced the saying, “never take things for granted.” It was a real eye-opener. Though life in the host country may be rough and overwhelming, the Bangladeshi people we met were warm, kind, and very helpful. They made sure our stay was comfortable which helped us focus on our mission: to win all games to qualify for World Cup 2015.
We came into the tournament as the underdog, the team who is certain to lose the Group B qualifier. This did not intimidate us at all, instead, this made us fiercer and more motivated to prove everyone wrong. We crushed our first opponent, Iran 6-0, with the first 3 goals scored in the first four minutes. The media and spectators were stunned, as we were! Beating a team which is ranked thirty places ahead of us in the world, gave so much hope and affirmation that our team is strong. The second game was against our regional rival, Thailand. The Malditas again dominated the game, but unfortunately, a breakaway by a Thai striker proved to be the game decider when the ball rolled quickly on wet grass straight to the back of the net. Thailand won 1-0, the one goal that made all the difference whether we move to the next round of the World Cup qualifier. The loss did not dampen our spirit, we played with the same determination in our last game, which was against Bangladesh. We won 4-0 amidst the loud cheers from fellow Filipinos living and working in the country led by chargé d’affaires, Grace Villamayor, of the Philippine Embassy in Dhaka.
The AFC Cup was a life-changing experience. Playing to give honor to one’s country is an opportunity that is rare amongst girls of my age. Being a Maldita is one of the best things that happened to me and I will cherish it forever.
For girls who are dedicated and passionate about soccer, there is a prospective camp to be held in Southern California on July 23 to August 6, which includes a friendly match between the Malditas and Haiti after the camp. Coach Nierras will be recruiting new players for the various age groups of the Philippine Women’s National Team. For more information, please contact Mark Mangune at mark.mangune@gmail.com or Ralph Taddeo at bicolsoccer6@yahoo.com.
thepinoyweekly.com/?p=23885
by Camille Wilson
MY NAME is Camille Wilson. I am seventeen years old, and I am a Maldita.
It is truly an honor and a privilege to wear the colors of the country of my heritage. It did not come easy. Becoming part of the Philippine Women’s National Football Team requires enduring energy and dedication. I have played hundreds of games, and spent many weekends in the soccer fields in sweltering heat, freezing temperature, and pounding rain. I have missed parties and fun events, and spent several birthdays (mine and family’s) on the road.
My journey in becoming a Maldita started when I was five years old, getting the inspiration for playing soccer from my older brother, Mark. I played three years in the city’s house league, followed by five years playing for Novato United starting with the U-10 travel team when I was eight years old. I joined my current club team of Marin FC when I was thirteen and I also sweated it out with the California (North) Olympic Development Program (ODP) State team for two years.
All this hard work was put to the test during the Philippine National Team’s recruiting camp in November 2012 and March 2013 in Southern California. Coach Ernie Nierras wanted to include Fil-Am and Fil-Canadian soccer players on the team. Being the youngest, I felt nervous and intimidated trying out alongside older and more talented players who also play for some of America’s top Division I colleges. It certainly challenged me to apply all that I have learned of the sport and raise my level of playing. And, it all paid off as I made it to the national team roster!
The first event for the new Malditas was the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup’s qualifying games to be hosted by the Bangladesh Football Federation in Dhaka, Bangladesh from May 21 to 25, 2013. The Philippines was in Group B with Iran, Thailand, and Bangladesh. Two weeks before the games, I flew to Manila with my mom to train with the other twenty-five players who made it to the short list. It was an intense preparation. We trained four hours every day in hot and humid weather, 6:00 to 8:00 in the morning and 4:00 to 6:00 in the late afternoon. I treasured this time because this was when I bonded and got close to twenty-five wonderful ladies who instantly became my sisters. They are my “Ates” whom I share the same heritage, and the same love for the game. They inspired and encouraged me to become a better player.
Finally, we were ready for the games. We arrived in the capital city of Dhaka on May 18. No amount of distressing news about collapsed factories, constant riot clashes, or dire work and living conditions of urban workers can prepare me and my teammates for the challenges that lie ahead of us. The ongoing problem of corruption in the country has caused no economic growth, horrendous traffic mess, unsanitary living conditions, widespread poverty and sense of hopelessness. We witnessed these in the eight days we were in Bangladesh. This experience reinforced the saying, “never take things for granted.” It was a real eye-opener. Though life in the host country may be rough and overwhelming, the Bangladeshi people we met were warm, kind, and very helpful. They made sure our stay was comfortable which helped us focus on our mission: to win all games to qualify for World Cup 2015.
We came into the tournament as the underdog, the team who is certain to lose the Group B qualifier. This did not intimidate us at all, instead, this made us fiercer and more motivated to prove everyone wrong. We crushed our first opponent, Iran 6-0, with the first 3 goals scored in the first four minutes. The media and spectators were stunned, as we were! Beating a team which is ranked thirty places ahead of us in the world, gave so much hope and affirmation that our team is strong. The second game was against our regional rival, Thailand. The Malditas again dominated the game, but unfortunately, a breakaway by a Thai striker proved to be the game decider when the ball rolled quickly on wet grass straight to the back of the net. Thailand won 1-0, the one goal that made all the difference whether we move to the next round of the World Cup qualifier. The loss did not dampen our spirit, we played with the same determination in our last game, which was against Bangladesh. We won 4-0 amidst the loud cheers from fellow Filipinos living and working in the country led by chargé d’affaires, Grace Villamayor, of the Philippine Embassy in Dhaka.
The AFC Cup was a life-changing experience. Playing to give honor to one’s country is an opportunity that is rare amongst girls of my age. Being a Maldita is one of the best things that happened to me and I will cherish it forever.
For girls who are dedicated and passionate about soccer, there is a prospective camp to be held in Southern California on July 23 to August 6, which includes a friendly match between the Malditas and Haiti after the camp. Coach Nierras will be recruiting new players for the various age groups of the Philippine Women’s National Team. For more information, please contact Mark Mangune at mark.mangune@gmail.com or Ralph Taddeo at bicolsoccer6@yahoo.com.
thepinoyweekly.com/?p=23885