Marley Christian Hails Team’s Talent Pool
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Marley Christian believes Naquita Robinson, the Bermuda women’s football team coach, has a “tremendous talent pool” to pick from as they head into their double-header against Barbados in the Concacaf W Gold Cup qualifiers.
Christian returns to the squad after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, having not played for Bermuda since they beat Grenada 6-0 at home in April 2022 after suffering a dislocated ankle.
The defender has been working her way back to full fitness over the past few months and said she could not be rejoining at a better time with Bermuda leading group C League B after two wins.
They face Barbados tonight [October 27] in Bridgetown before the return fixture four days later at the Flora Duffy Stadium.
“It’s an exciting opportunity to be back and for the team to be in this position,” Christian told Bernews.
“Nine years ago, when I started playing for Bermuda, it was always the goal to get to this point, and now we’re finally here. It’s a unique moment for us.
“We’ve put ourselves in a great spot. The girls have done amazingly well, especially against the Dominican Republic [a 2-0 win at home].
“We’re treating Barbados as if they were Jamaica or the Dominican Republic – we’re not going to underestimate them.”
Christian, who plays for the Boston Sidekicks in the Eastern Mass Women’s Soccer League, believes the senior national team programme is reaping the rewards after several years of investing in developing young talent.
“The talent was always there; the girls were just young, and now they’re at the point they can play for the national team,” said Christian, who has a Bermudian mother and Jamaican father.
“Girls like Zemira [Webb], Koa [Goodchild] and Jaden [Masters] have been around for a long time and now they’re ready.
“Hopefully, we’re inspiring lots of girls to stick with the game because they want to be part of something as big as what we’re doing now.”
Christian’s route to the Bermuda team is an unusual one.
It was nine years ago when the Bermuda Football Association became aware of the 26-year-old’s eligibility after watching her television interview with SportsMax, the Jamaican broadcaster, focusing on high-school athletes in the United States with Caribbean heritage.
“Doing that interview all those years ago turned into something I never thought it possibly could,” she added.
“I never thought I’d have the possibility to represent Bermuda. It’s been an honour.
“I’m happy to be part of the group and want to help us move forward in any way possible.”
