Meet the U15 Female National Football Team

Back in Belmopan today at the Football Federation of Belize Headquarters, the U15 female national team was officially announced. Like the National Senior Men’s Team, this team will be participating in a series of UNCAF qualifying matches. These games are scheduled for August of this year. But even before then, the team heads to a tournament next week to compete against countries from the Caribbean and Central America. News Five’s Duane Moody reports.

Duane Moody, Reporting

The Baby Jaguars, or the U15 female national team, was officially presented at the F.F.B. Headquarters today in Belmopan. It is part of the commitment of the federation to develop female football in Belize.

Sakenah Lopez

Sakenah Lopez, Team Manager, U15 Female National Team

“From since March 2022, these girls have been coming to camp on a weekly basis and engaging in theoretical and practical sessions. They’ve worked hard and consistent. We are very proud of these baby jaguars.”

With two months of training down, how ready are these female athletes?

Jasha Martinez

Jasha Martinez, U15 Female National Team

“It’s like a dream come true for me. We worked extremely hard in learning how to play the game as well as balancing our school work. This experience has made me become a better player and I am willing to player harder and advance to other levels.”

Athiana Ovando

Athiana Ovando, U15 Female National Team

“I have not only improved my training abilities, but my football skills have been enhanced. Alongside the physical aspect, we have been instilled good sportsmanship, strong character and discipline.”

These young female athletes have been preparing for the UNCAF qualifiers which will be held in August.

Philip Marin, Technical Director, F.F.B.

“UNCAF has decided that they will do a preparation before the UNCAF tournament in August, so the girls are preparing for two tournaments – one that will be held between the fifth to the twelfth of June in Costa Rica where they will have seven teams that will be participating in that tournament; five from Central America and two from the Caribbean region which is Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. From Central America we will have Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador and Belize. We are in Group B which is El Salvador and Dominican Republic. Our first game will be on Tuesday, the seventh.”

Duane Moody for News Five.