The Dominica Football Association (DFA) has announced that the national women’s football team, affectionately known as the Sisserou Girls, will compete against Jamaica in a pivotal CONCACAF Women’s Qualifier. The match is set to take place on Saturday, November 29, at 3 PM at the Daren Sammy Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St. Lucia. This encounter represents a significant milestone in Dominica’s ongoing efforts to elevate women’s football within the region and enhance the nation’s presence on the global sports stage. Head Coach Ronnie Gustave expressed immense pride in the team’s dedication, stating, ‘Our women have demonstrated remarkable discipline and resilience. They’ve trained rigorously and are fully prepared to represent Dominica with pride.’ The team recently participated in the WIFA Tournament in St. Vincent, where, despite not securing a medal, they gained invaluable insights into their strengths and areas needing improvement. Coach Gustave emphasized the team’s focus on fundamentals and structure, highlighting their readiness to face Jamaica, a regional powerhouse. He drew inspiration from recent successes in men’s qualifiers, asserting that ‘small islands can achieve big things.’ The squad has been bolstered by the inclusion of several overseas-based players, including Jewel Harve, Trinity Esprit, and Chloe Lecointe, who joined during intensive training sessions. The full roster, featuring a mix of goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards, is supported by a dedicated coaching and medical staff. Dominica is grouped with Jamaica, Guyana, Nicaragua, and Antigua and Barbuda in Group B of the qualification campaign. The DFA has urged Dominicans worldwide to rally behind the Sisserou Girls as they strive to make their mark on the international stage.
分类： sports
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National footballer Eartha Pond nominated for UK Sports Award
National footballer Eartha Pond has been recognized for her exceptional contributions to grassroots sports with a nomination for the Grassroots Sportswoman of the Year Award, part of The Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year 2025 Awards. Pond, a former defender for top clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur, has also represented the Piton Girlz in 2023. Beyond her athletic achievements, she is a dedicated community activist and social entrepreneur. The award, as highlighted in an official letter shared on Pond’s social media, honors women who break barriers and unite communities through the joy of sports and physical activity. Pond’s nomination is largely attributed to her impactful work with the “Girls Allowed” programme, which has engaged over 8,000 girls across the UK in diverse sports, and her “Mums Allowed” initiative, empowering women to rediscover movement and wellbeing. Additionally, she has sponsored kits for Saint Lucia’s national women’s team. Expressing her gratitude on Instagram, Pond emphasized her long-standing commitment to grassroots efforts in education, sports, and policy. Voting for the awards is open to UK residents until December 20, 2025, with winners announced on February 4, 2026.
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Antigua and Barbuda Senior Women’s National Team Commences 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Campaign
The Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) has officially launched the Senior Women’s National Team’s journey in the Concacaf Qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, set to take place in Brazil. The team’s campaign begins with a home match against Nicaragua on Thursday, November 27th, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. This fixture signifies the start of a pivotal competitive phase for the nation’s women’s football program. Following this, the team will head to Turks and Caicos in December for a series of friendly matches. The qualifying schedule includes four group-stage matches: a home game against Guyana on March 5, 2026, an away match against Jamaica on April 10, 2026, and a final fixture against Dominica on April 14, 2026. The top team in the group will progress to the 2026 Concacaf W Championship in November 2026. The ABFA has reiterated its commitment to advancing women’s football through investments in technical programs, coaching development, grassroots initiatives, and women’s competitions. The association calls on supporters, partners, and stakeholders to rally behind the Senior Women’s National Team as they represent the nation on the regional and international stage. The final squad includes notable players such as goalkeepers Anik Jarvis and Amyah Hodge, forwards Gabrielle De Suza and Kai Jacobs, midfielders Zolique Samuel and Kevoncia James, and defenders Brianna Roberts and Carlene Thomas.
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Phillip helps steer Wolfpack into NCAA Sweet 16
In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Donavan Phillip, the star forward from Saint Lucia, reignited his scoring prowess to propel the North Carolina State Wolfpack men’s soccer team into the NCAA Championship Sweet 16. The match, held on Sunday, November 23, at Dail Soccer Stadium in Raleigh, saw the Wolfpack secure a decisive 2-0 victory over Marshall. Phillip, who had been in a five-game scoring drought, opened the scoring with a header in the second minute, capitalizing on a corner-kick delivered by Riley Moloney. This goal marked Phillip’s 16th of the season, a feat not achieved by a Wolfpack player since 1991, and placed him among the top 10 goal-scorers in the school’s history. Only five players have scored more in a single season since 1961, with Sam Okpodu holding the record of 29 goals in 1982. Moloney, a defender recently named to the All-ACC Freshman team, added to the tally in the 59th minute with a deflected corner-kick that found the back of the net. The Wolfpack now prepare to host UNC Greensboro on November 30, following UNCG’s upset victory over No. 2 seed Virginia. The teams previously met in October, resulting in a 1-1 draw. With six of the 16 seeded teams already eliminated, the tournament promises more excitement as the Wolfpack aim to continue their championship journey.
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Sammy confident as WI seek to end 30-year drought in NZ
West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has expressed confidence in his team’s readiness as they prepare to face New Zealand in an upcoming Test series. Despite a challenging history in New Zealand, where the West Indies last won a Test match in 1987 and a series in 1995, Sammy remains optimistic about their prospects. The team’s recent performances in the T20I and One Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand, where they were competitive but fell short, have bolstered their morale. Sammy highlighted the team’s ability to create opportunities and their improved mindset as key factors heading into the Test series. The West Indies will play a two-day warm-up match against a New Zealand XI before the first Test begins on December 2. Sammy emphasized the importance of execution and the team’s determination to challenge New Zealand, aiming to end the year on a high note. Reflecting on their recent Test match against India, where they pushed the hosts into a fifth day, Sammy believes the West Indies have the potential to compete at the highest level. The three-match Test series presents an opportunity for the West Indies to rewrite their history in New Zealand and showcase their growing resilience and competitiveness.
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MBU returns to ‘iconic’ Jarrett Park as temporary home
Montego Bay United (MBU) has announced that it will temporarily host its home games at Jarrett Park for the upcoming months in the Jamaica Premier League. This decision comes after the Montego Bay Sports Complex, their usual venue, sustained severe damage during Hurricane Melissa on October 28th. The historic Jarrett Park, long celebrated as the spiritual home of football in western Jamaica, will serve as the interim home ground for MBU, starting with a match against Waterhouse Football Club on December 21st at 3:00 pm. The Montego Bay Sports Complex, which had been MBU’s home for the past two seasons, was devastated by the hurricane, with extensive damage to the football field and the 400m running track due to heavy clay soil deposits. Yoni Epstein, chairman of MBU, estimated that restoring the complex to its former state could cost approximately $300 million. Epstein emphasized that the move to Jarrett Park represents a significant step toward restoring normalcy and community spirit in Montego Bay after the hurricane’s destruction. Jarrett Park, a gift from the Kerr-Jarrett family to Montego Bay, has a rich history of hosting local, national, and international sporting events, including cricket and football competitions. Its reopening for Premier League football symbolizes resilience, unity, and the indomitable spirit of the community. The park has been the venue for legendary matches and unforgettable moments, including the finals of the daCosta Cup, Ben Francis Cup, and Olivier Shield, as well as home games for St James’ National Premier League champions Violet Kickers, Seba United, and Wadadah.
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Maldon High withdraw from daCosta Cup
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Maldon High School has been compelled to withdraw from the ISSA daCosta Cup football competition, which is scheduled to resume this Saturday. The decision comes in the wake of the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, which has left the team unable to adequately prepare for their crucial match against Christiana High. This announcement was officially confirmed on Wednesday.
Maldon High, having achieved a historic milestone by qualifying for the Round of 16 for the first time, was set to face Christiana High in the opening game of a doubleheader at Manchester High. However, Coach Dillon Thelwell revealed to Observer Online that the school had no alternative but to make what he described as ‘a very tough decision.’
Thelwell, who led the south St. James-based school to their first-ever second-round qualification from the highly competitive Zone A, disclosed earlier this week that the team had been struggling to conduct training sessions. Many players were severely affected by Hurricane Melissa, which struck on October 28th. In a subsequent update on Tuesday, Thelwell admitted that preparations had still not commenced.
‘The turnout has been dismal, with no more than seven players attending at any given time,’ Thelwell explained. ‘Several boys have lost their homes or suffered significant damage to their properties. Some have lost their school uniforms, and others have seen their books completely destroyed.’
Maldon High had previously suffered a heavy 6-1 defeat to Cornwall College in their first Round of 16 game, placing them at the bottom of the Zone 1 standings alongside William Knibb Memorial, who lost 3-0 to Christiana High.
As the situation unfolds, the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA), the organizers of the competition, are awaiting official confirmation before determining the outcome of the zone. The withdrawal of Maldon High marks a somber moment in the tournament, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of natural disasters on communities and their aspirations.
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Four Windies players hit fifties in New Zealand warm-up match
The West Indies cricket team showcased a dominant batting performance on the first day of their two-day warm-up match against a New Zealand XI at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln University on November 25. The visitors concluded the day at a formidable 346 for five, setting a strong foundation for their upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand, which begins on December 1. The top-order batsmen demonstrated exceptional form, with Tagenarine Chanderpaul leading the charge with a solid 85 off 211 balls. Brandon King (79 off 91), John Campbell (68 off 98), and Kavem Hodge (55 not out off 102) also contributed significantly, each scoring half-centuries in a display of batting prowess. Campbell and Chanderpaul established a robust 130-run opening partnership, with Campbell playing aggressively before being dismissed. King and Chanderpaul continued the momentum, guiding the team to Tea without further loss. Chanderpaul retired at Tea, making way for Hodge, who aims to secure a spot in the Test squad. King’s dismissal by leg-spinner Rahman Hekmat marked a minor setback, but Hodge and Tevin Imlach added 68 runs for the fifth wicket before Imlach was bowled on the final ball of the day. The match serves as crucial preparation for the West Indies, with rookie fast bowlers Johann Layne and Ojay Shields expected to gain valuable practice on day two.
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Miguel Coley agrees to join Reggae Boyz coaching staff
Miguel Coley, the former assistant coach of Jamaica’s national football team, the Reggae Boyz, has officially agreed to return to the role on an interim basis. This decision follows the finalization of an agreement with the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) on Wednesday. Coley will rejoin the national team alongside interim Head Coach Rudolph Speid, forming a key part of the technical team as Jamaica prepares for the FIFA Inter-Confederation Playoffs in March 2026, where the team will vie for a spot in the FIFA World Cup.
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Mbappe hits four as Real Madrid hold off Olympiacos in thriller
In a thrilling Champions League encounter on Wednesday, Kylian Mbappe delivered a masterclass performance, scoring all four goals as Real Madrid edged past Olympiacos 4-3 in Piraeus, Greece. The victory marked a crucial turnaround for Madrid, ending a three-match winless streak across all competitions. Olympiacos initially took the lead with a stunning 20-yard strike from Chiquinho, but Mbappe swiftly took center stage, becoming the competition’s top scorer this season. The French captain equalized in the 22nd minute with a precise finish, followed by a header two minutes later and a hat-trick goal just six minutes and 42 seconds after his first—the second fastest in Champions League history. Substitute Mehdi Taremi briefly revived Olympiacos’ hopes with a header, but Mbappe sealed the win with his fourth goal, assisted by Vinicius Junior. Despite a late goal from Ayoub El Kaabi, Madrid held on to secure their fourth win in five Champions League matches. Coach Xabi Alonso praised the team’s resilience, emphasizing the importance of breaking their losing streak. Madrid now sit fifth in the standings, with crucial fixtures against Manchester City, Monaco, and Benfica ahead.