Sixteen-year-old Annie May, the captain of the Fiji Women’s U-16 team, is filled with pride as she prepares to represent her country for the second time at the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship taking place in Suva, Fiji.
Leading her young team, May feels honored and excited to play in front of a home crowd that includes her 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 mom, dad, and the home crowd watching,” said the native of Savusavu.
May also highlighted the strong connections within the team, emphasizing their support for one another during challenging moments. “The girls are doing pretty well in camp. Whenever they get homesick, we always come together and encourage each other,” she noted.
Reflecting on her journey into football, May admitted that her first interest was in rugby, a prevalent sport in her community. “For me, all I did growing up was watching rugby, but I do not have the right body to play at that level, so I tried football and it was amazing,” she explained.
Familial and community support has been vital to her sports career. “Mum and dad have always been supportive, as well as my village, grandparents, and friends,” May stated, expressing gratitude for the encouragement that has fueled her progress.