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 in the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship taking place in Suva, Fiji.
Leading her young team, May feels a sense of honor and excitement to play in front of a home crowd, which 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 mum, dad, and the home crowd watching,” said the native of Savusavu.
May also highlighted the strong camaraderie among teammates, particularly during challenging moments. “Girls are doing pretty well in camp. Whenever they get homesick, we always come together and encourage each other,” she explained.
Reflecting on her path into football, May shared that her first love was 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 acknowledged the vital support from her family and village throughout her sports career. “Mum and dad have always been supportive, also my village, grandparents, friends,” May expressed, conveying her gratitude for the encouragement that has helped propel her forward.