Women's Team share their thoughts on title

by Ayrton Galea - 28th March 2012

Birkirkara FC's women team were crowned champions of the Women's First Division League, for the season 2011-2012, and most of the players, and the technical staff told us what this achievement means to them.

- Janice Xuereb (Goalkeeper)

Winning the league title means that you won the biggest competition in Malta. It mean that all the sacrifices you made throughout the year resulted in success and it also gives us an opportunity to play in Women's UEFA champions league.

- Nina Dimech (Goalkeeper)

I have been playing for more than ten years with Birkirkara, so this is not the first time that I won the league with them. But, this time the satisfaction was huge because we were a team made from a mix of experienced players and young players, who are the future of the team. It wasn't easy but with the sacrifices that we players, the coach and even the committee members did, we managed to win another honour.

- Michelle Zahra (Goalkeeper)

Throughout this league I have suffered a series of injuries and I only played in one game. The players have put in a lot of effort and deserve all the success, and I am happy for them.

- Charlene Schembri (Defender)

For me this is the result of the hard work of the committee, coach and us, the players. Although we had our ups and downs during matches, we emerged as winners. When team works had and is united in, in the end it will achieve its aim.

- Isabelle Mazzitelli (Defender)

To win the league again, for me it means that we, the team of Birkirkara are united. It is a merit of, and thanks to the dedication, of our coach and committee. Personally, it means a lot to me after sacrifices I made, because I work on a shift basis and every hour leave I have I dedicate it to football and nothing else.

- Rebecca Bonnici (defender)

Winning the league title for me means both a sense of pride and relief. Relieved because after all the hard training, we achieved the ultimate title, the most prestigious one for women's football in Malta. Feeling pride because although I am still young I already won the league and that makes me proud, especially when looking at other players from other teams who are older than me and never tasted success. But all this was made possible by my team-mates and coaching stuff and all the supporters.

- Yasmeen Vella (Defender)

Winning the league does not only mean acquiring another trophy for the Club, but more importantly it helped me realise that hard work always pays off at the end. As a team we showed a lot of dedication and enthusiasm to be able to reach this aim together. It would not have been reachable if all our efforts were not put together, starting from the work of our committee members, coach, in guiding us during training sessions and matches, and all team players in maintaining a healthy atmosphere by supporting each other both during training hours and by doing our utmost in matches. Apart from the satisfaction of winning the league, I feel greatly proud of my team mates and all members shaping up the team. Our team community surely feels like a family rather than a simple football team.

- Chantal Fenech (Midfielder)

Winning the league is the reward of our hard training. Nothing can be more satisfying and it is great celebrating it all together.

- Gabriella Zahra (Midfielder)

Personally, winning this league was one of my main achievements on my list since I've never won it before, and hopefully will reach another one this coming summer by participating in the Champions League. I joined Birkirkara last year, and we lost the league for a few points so one can imagine how badly I wanted to win it.

As a team, I couldn't have imagined winning it with any other team. I mean we all have our differences; after all, we are a full squad so it's impossible for everyone to agree with each other on every matter. But working to achieve a common goal and also with the help of our coach and hard working committee made us put our differences aside. We supported each other to win it at a constant level of good performances and now we are all enjoying the fruits of our own hard work.

- Kim Parnis (Midfielder)

For us it means a lot because we showed that we were a united team and we pulled on the same rope to make it this far. For us it means that we have to continue moving forward, and to continue improving the level of football.

- Martina Cilia (Midfielder)

First of all, I want to thank from my heart you (the website team) and the committee for the interest that you are showing us lately. We are feeling very happy and we hope that this interest continue to grow and strengthen not only in the committee but even in the Maltese public.

With regards to the league for me is very important, for several reasons. For women who play football, the league is the top honour that you can win locally. By winning the league we showed that we are the best team amongst all women's team in Malta. As well, the league shows all the work that my team mates and I did throughout the whole season, and as well in the pre-season in Summer. Besides this, the winning of the league for me means taking part in Champions League, a chance and a really unique experience where we will have the opportunity playing against foreign teams. The opportunity to show that we are a highly dedicated team. A team that is ready to challenge. A team that shows how united and strong it is. Although the Champions League is a very competitive and difficult competition, we are in no way going to give up. I am sure that an experience like that will help us in the future, individually and as well as a team in general. I also wish to say a big thank-you, to the all supporters that gave us their support in the last games.

- Maryrose Cardona (Midfielder)

This league means a lot, as we finished it without a defeat and when see you the sacrifices that we've done together, finally the dream become reality. We, as a team, train three times and even four times a week, whether it's sunny, raining, cold or hot. Between work, family and partner I have to see how to manage. But, yes with a small sacrifice from everyone we are where we are. Thanks to my team mates, the coach and all the committee.

- Rachel Cuschieri (Midfielder)

Winning the league means everything to me. It's a definition of the team: WINNERS

- Simone Buttigieg (Midfielder)

This season was one of lot of work and this win was deserved for our team. We continue looking forward as a team to win the remaining titles.

- Alishia Sultana (Striker)

For me this league was a wonderful and big experience, especially considering my young age.

- Dorcas Debono (Striker)

I can say that this year has been the most wonderful one since I've started playing football. First of all, because I succeeded to become a Birkirkara player, because it was my wish for a long time and it finally came true. This year thanks to all of the team, I managed to win the First Division League title for the first time. For me this is a big satisfaction and a result of how much we worked throughout the whole season. We worked a lot for it and it was deserved for us because we were amongst the best teams of the league and we showed really mature football. I learned a lot from this season it and it will remain a memory that we won the league and I will be carrying it with me for my entire career. I wish to say a big thank you to all the team, the committee, the coach and all those who take care of us.

- Kelly Agius Pace (Striker)

It's the highest point one can reach locally. It pays off all the sacrifices we do as a team throughout the whole year and it's a ticket to compete in the Women's Champions League. It means a lot to me. I won the league 4 times in 6 years and I'm still thirsty for more league titles with Birkirkara.

- Kim Simler (Striker)

Although I didn't participate a lot, this was the first league that I took part in and I appreciate a lot. I think it was one of best because it was thanks to whole team.

- Raina Giusti (Striker)

I'm still fourteen years old! It is a big honour for me to win the seniors league at this young age. Unfortunately, I can't play in the Champions League but I will still support my friends. I'm so proud that I play with Birkirkara and that I'm in this team. Hand in hand, we played together and put our hearts in the game. My team mates are simply amazing! I want to thank the coach and committee for their work this year and we hope to win more honours in the next competitions! Well done Yellows! If we believe, we achieve! Hard work makes it happen!

- Johann Scicluna (Head Coach)

I feel rewarded for the huge sacrifice that I made on a personal level, because during this season I was busy with a UEFA course, coaching, other courses related to my work as a nurse. However, when you see the end result, you put everything behind you. I wish to dedicate this league title to my girlfriend, who supports me all the time. I hope we also win the trophy knock-out, as it really would be the cherry on top of the cake.

- Tommy Camilleri (Club Official)

This is the 4th league for us and it means a lot. The main reason is that most of the young players had the chance to play this season so it is a league we won with young girls.

- Tracy Camilleri (Secretary)

I believe that champions are made thanks to team work, fighting spirit and hard work. Our players made all this possible and that's what makes us champions.

- Doreen Parnis (Kit Manager)

For me all of this means that everyone is united as one family, players, coach and team members helping and working united, and at the end we achieved what we wished.

- Raymond Parnis (Kit Manager)

The title is the result of a season of work and involvement from the players, the coach, Tommy, Tracy, Doreen and myself as we do many sacrifices, not only during matches and training but there is more work to be done. This is done with the help and understanding of everyone and the unity that there is in the team.

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