Women's Team share their thoughts

by Ayrton Galea - 17th May 2013

Following the successful league campaign of the Women's Team, the protagonists gave us their comments on winning the title.

Janice Xuereb (Goalkeeper)

I already won the league three times but this time, it was the best one so far! We had a lot of problems this year and we lost some players for personal reasons.

Last game we had some experienced players missing, but those who replaced them were as good as them. We played with our heart - We believed and we achieved. I would like to dedicate this league to my father who has done a lot of sacrifices for me to become who I am in football.

Alexia Scicluna (Defender)

There are no words to describe the feeling, it has been an unbelievable journey and we made it! I would like to thank all my team-mates, our coach, the committee and all the supporters.

Chantal Fenech (Defender)

This has been one of the most exciting leagues we ever had so far, and I've seen them all. It's is going to be an unforgettable one. We fought as a team and won as a team. Our shout before every game proved itself right - One for all and all for one.

Charlene Schembri (Defender)

It is a big satisfaction that we managed to overcome all the difficulties and emerge as winners thanks to the potential of our coach, players and as well the committee who always work for us throughout the season.

This award means a lot for us because we had to make the utmost effort till the very last game. This league is a special one because every played proved his potential and together we showed that we are able to remain champions!

Personally, this is the reward for all our efforts in the matches and as well in training sessions.

Kirstie Vella (Defender)

It was a good season after all! We worked hard and put our utmost effort together to achieve these results, and because we never gave up. I'm honoured to be playing for Birkirkara FC because they always showed faith in me.

Stephania Farrugia (Defender)

This league means a lot for me because we showed that we are able to play with every player forming part of our squad as there were many games that we had some players missing.

In our last match against Mosta, we had a very good performance and although I didn't play, it was a great experience which made me very happy to see all those supporters supporting us !

Yasmeen Vella (Defender)

Winning this season's league is a reflection of dedication that was throughout the whole season, overcoming ups and downs. I'm lucky to form part of this hard working team. A team formed by people having passion for the football game, a team with players and members who work wholeheartedly to constantly win and achieve our goals. This well deserved league taught me that hard work pays off at the end. Lastly, apart from thanking our coach and committee members I would like to thank my friends, my team mates as without them it wouldn't have been possible to feel the unexplainable feelings of happiness that being crowned champions has brought with it.

Alishia Sultana (Midfielder)

In this league campaign, we found several challenges throughout the season but we still remained united till the end and together we managed to win the second consecutive league. This season we found a lot of difficulties which remained till the very last match but we showed that we're a united squad and a strong team.

For us, this title means that we were rewarded for all our hard work and as well we managed to win another title for Birkirkara. For me, this title means a lot as this year I contributed more in the team and this is my second personal league since I joined Birkirkara.

I would like to first of all thanks to Coach for the faith he showed in us, the committee, Tracy and Tommy Camilleri, Raymond Parnis and Doreen Parnis for always being there for us. I would also like to thank the team and my parents for always giving me their support.

Gabriella Zahra(Midfielder)

I'm going to remember this season for 2 things; the disgusting thing that happened in the last match against Gozo, and winning the league with a dramatic win. It is a memorable one because we did not start this league as strong as last season but we finished it as the strongest because we were the only team that did not lose in the Championship Pool. You learn to treasure your accomplishments even more when you win it against all odds. We showed everyone that Birkirkara is not only 2 or 3 players but 23 players and all the coaches and committee members.

Isabelle Mazzitelli (Midfielder)

The league was an interesting one this year. Nobody knew who was going to win the title till the last minute of the last game of the season, which was something new to us. We lost our first points against Mosta after losing 3-1, which was a very unfair result. Then losing very important points against Gozo meant that we had to keep fighting and waiting for the title until the last match.

This league was also tough because Hibernians kept coming back and slowly gaining a few points against Mosta and also a point against us, and Mosta, as always, were once again a tough challenge for us.

But we managed well in every bad situation, and we always stayed positive and kept going at it till we won again the title for our 5th time in 7 years!
On a personal note, this league means more than anything to me in my career as a female football player.

This season started with one of my toughest times in football, but I managed to set my goals and aimed to once again fit in well with my teammates, to regain my fitness and to continue to score important goals as I did last season. I will never stop believing in myself - that is my philosophy. To be a champion you have to believe in yourself when nobody else will!

That last minute goal I scored will never be forgotten and I am proud to have managed to get into that position and finish it off, sealing the league for my team

I want to congratulate my teammates, coaching staff and committee because we made it. One for all...and ALL FOR ONE!

Kelly Groves (Midfielder)

For me this league was a great experience and a big achievement considering my young age.

Maryrose Cardona (Midfielder)

This league title means a lot for me because after a season working hard you'll get the deserved award. I'm not taking away any credit from the others teams and from here I would like to congratulate them for their season. I can say it wasn't an easy season as after the UEFA Women's Champions League we had to continue with our league commitments.

It's a big satisfaction when you spend one year doing a lot of sacrifices and dedication, in the good and in the bad time, we all continue to pulling the same rope till the end as no matter how big you are or no matter how small you are, at the end, together everything can be achieved.

Although, I was suspended with another two players in our last league's match, everyone showed character, determination and ability. It was a double satisfaction as we had failed to beat Mosta for the last one and a half years. Football is not played with foot only; it is also played with heart.

I would like to thank my work colleagues and the work's boss, my friends and especially my family. I would also like to thank the Coach Mr. Johann Scicluna, Chantal Fenech, Goalkeeper's Coach Mike Tabone, Technical Staff members Tracy Camilleri, Tommy Camilleri, Doreen Parnis and Raymond Parnis, The Website Team (Ayrton Galea and Ivan Mizzi), the Club's president Mr. Joe Zammit and all the Birkirkara supporters.

Rachel Cuschieri (Midfielder)

This year the title meant more than the others because I had a year of injury problems that effected me mentally but I never gave up on winning the league and to be the one to lift the cup was a dream come true for me.

Raina Giusti (Midfielder)

This is my second time that I won the league with Birkirkara and proudly to say, twice in a row. We worked hard together how a team should be - everyone helping each other. We tackled every obstacle that came to us this season together with the help of the committee, those who keep us like professionals and give us everything we need. We believed in ourselves. When you believe you achieve, and we did achieve because we believed.

Now, luckily enough, I have the chance to participate in the UEFA Women's Champions League in this very young age!

I want to say a big thank you to the supporters who gave us their support especially in the last competitive game where we were crowned as champions! I also want to say a big thank you to our hero who helped us get through this by his support, our coach.

ONE FOR ALL AND ALL FOR ONE!

Kelly Agius Pace (Forward)

For me the league is a thank you to all those who always believed in us and always had our back. It's very hard to win two in a row but when things get tough we get tougher!

Kim Simler (Forward)

This league meant a lot to me , not only because we won but because we have proven everyone that Birkirkara is not built with 5-6 players, its built with everyone who takes part in the team. I think it was very well deserved as the team was very determined to win.

Simone Buttigieg (Forward)

During this season we had many ups and downs. We struggled a lot to achieve this well deserved result, because we had the Champions league games last summer and we were mentally tired. However, as a team, I feel we were eager to finish this whole journey but in the end we showed a strong character in our team.

Mike Tabone (Goalkeeper's Coach)

First of all I have to say that I am over the world for this success for many reasons. One thing I can say is that I am very proud of the whole team, not only the goalkeepers. This season we complicated matters for ourselves on more than one occasion, but the most important thing in life is that you only fail if you give up. The team managed to recover from some lost points along the way and fight till literally the last minute of the game. I have never felt the emotion I felt in those last minutes of the final match.

On a personal note this season was my first season coaching a specific role (goalkeepers) and I loved the whole experience. The final game of the season proved that my belief in Janice was justified and that with more of the work and dedication that we have given this season, as a complete unit, as long as she keeps her feet on the ground, she has the potential to become the National no. 1 for years to come. It has been a pleasure to watch her improve game by game, it has been a pleasure to see her and Nina work as true teammates (Nina has helped Janice a lot too), and it was of great satisfaction to see that she can also be a big game player, as she proved with numerous saves throughout the campaign.

It feels good to be part of a team of Champions. Bring on the KO, and the Champions League!

Johann Scicluna (Coach)

Winning the title for my third time in my three season is personally a great achievement. This year involved a hard job, considering we did not bring any new players in our squad, and from the Champions League matches to our last league game, we had five players less from the first eleven while our rivals brought 3 to 4 players in their squads.

We showed a great character, in every game and with this new format, playing in the two rounds of the Championship Pool and not losing any game was really impressive especially in the decisive last match against Mosta where we had three players suspended.

This shows the hard work we did, and we will continue doing to win the double before taking a break and then considering continue my adventure with this club or not.

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