Sixteen-year-old Annie May, captain of the Fiji Women’s U-16 team, is filled with pride as she prepares to represent her country for the second time in the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship taking place in Suva, Fiji.
As she leads her young team, May feels both honored and excited to play in front of her home crowd, including family and friends. “It’s an honor to be part of the squad and to captain the team. It’s amazing to represent the country with your mum, dad, and the home crowd watching,” said the native of Savusavu.
In addition, May shared her enthusiasm about the strong camaraderie among the team, especially during challenging moments. “The girls are doing pretty well in camp. Whenever they get homesick, we always come together and encourage each other,” she explained.
Reflecting on her journey into sports, May mentioned that her initial interest was in rugby, a highly regarded sport in her community. “Growing up, all I did was watch rugby, but I realized I don’t have the right physique to play at that level, so I tried football and it was amazing,” she noted.
The unwavering support from her family and village has been instrumental in her sporting endeavors. “Mum and dad have always been supportive, as well as my village, grandparents, and friends,” May expressed, highlighting the encouragement that has helped her succeed.