STC football girls rock!!!
I was quited surprised when I got the scores of some of the girls football matches in the Milo Little Olympics, so the next day, I checked them out. The team is good, and it's better that they are now playing for their school.
Here's an article from Sun.Star Cebu last Monday. http://sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2008/09/08/sports/stc.girls.football.team.makes.finals.in.first.try.html
FOR a school that teaches girls to be feminine and conservative, it was a pleasant surprise to see a bunch of high school girls from St. Theresa’s College play rough and tough in the football field at the Cebu City Sports Center in the 13th Milo Little Olympics.
This may be the first time in Milo Little Olympics history that STC allowed its students to take part, but the team sent a clear message that nobody can push them around because they sure can push back.
Aleli Mejias, the star striker for STC, is probably the breakout star at the football field having scored seven goals, putting her in the running for the Most Outstanding Athlete award, on the first day.
She also scored one yesterday as they bashed defending champions Sacred Heart Hijas de Jesus, 3-0, to take the team to the final round next week.
The team will face the equally-talented Cebu International School, one of the pioneers in girls football in Cebu, in the finals next week. CIS earlier drubbed Bright Academy, 8-0.
For Mejias, and the rest of her STC teammates, this is a reason for celebration.
“Maka-medal na gyud ta,” one of the players said after their match.
However, there is more to winning a gold medal in this endeavor.
“We want to show everyone that football is not just a boys’ sport. Girls can do it as well,” Mejias said.
She picks, fakes, defends, strikes and has moves that will put boys to shame.
“I’m really a striker. And I’ve been kicking a ball since I was in the elementary,” Mejias said.
Mejias started out playing soccer-baseball—a spinoff of football and baseball, before the entire team was discovered and trained in football.
They have been playing and training outside school since then, competing under the name Melborne United FC.
“We have won several titles already but this is the first time that we represented STC. And we can’t wait to give the school a medal. It pushes us to try hard,” Mejias said.
Mejias also hopes that their efforts might be seen as something that will lead the school to support athletes.
“Although they allowed us, I know they were very hesitant. I know that they are scared for our well-being and safety. But they do not need to worry because being in a sport is really a good thing for us. In a way even, we are empowered as girls,” Mejias said.
“It (being in sports) gives us a chance to push ourselves to excel,” Mejias added.
The team’s mentor, teacher Ella Averila, said that the school is slowly opening up about allowing their girls to get into sports.
“There are already plans to put up a varsity. Especially after the girls’ several achievements. Hopefully it will materialize,” said Averila, who was instrumental for the team to be allowed to compete in Milo after she assured school officials that she will watch over the team.
However, if the school’s plan push through, the trailblazers at STC may no longer get a chance to enjoy it since all but three members of the team will be graduating this March.
“It is ok. At least we will be leaving a legacy for those younger than us. We are already happy if we became the example by which younger kids follow for them to get into sports and for the school to start supporting them,” Mejias added.
For first-timers, they made a huge impression as they made it to the final round, which they did in another impressive fashion as they clobbered the defending champions.
However, making it this far is not as easy as it looks.
“We had to practice in different venues because we do not have a field in school. But it is worth it,” Mejias added.
“Kaning mga bataana, mag kawat-kawat ug practice dinhi sa field,” said CCSC manager Ricky Ballesteros, who was impressed with STC’s performance. “I hope they make it far. It will be good to see them in the nationals next year,” he added. (MCB)
Here's an article from Sun.Star Cebu last Monday. http://sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2008/09/08/sports/stc.girls.football.team.makes.finals.in.first.try.html
FOR a school that teaches girls to be feminine and conservative, it was a pleasant surprise to see a bunch of high school girls from St. Theresa’s College play rough and tough in the football field at the Cebu City Sports Center in the 13th Milo Little Olympics.
This may be the first time in Milo Little Olympics history that STC allowed its students to take part, but the team sent a clear message that nobody can push them around because they sure can push back.
Aleli Mejias, the star striker for STC, is probably the breakout star at the football field having scored seven goals, putting her in the running for the Most Outstanding Athlete award, on the first day.
She also scored one yesterday as they bashed defending champions Sacred Heart Hijas de Jesus, 3-0, to take the team to the final round next week.
The team will face the equally-talented Cebu International School, one of the pioneers in girls football in Cebu, in the finals next week. CIS earlier drubbed Bright Academy, 8-0.
For Mejias, and the rest of her STC teammates, this is a reason for celebration.
“Maka-medal na gyud ta,” one of the players said after their match.
However, there is more to winning a gold medal in this endeavor.
“We want to show everyone that football is not just a boys’ sport. Girls can do it as well,” Mejias said.
She picks, fakes, defends, strikes and has moves that will put boys to shame.
“I’m really a striker. And I’ve been kicking a ball since I was in the elementary,” Mejias said.
Mejias started out playing soccer-baseball—a spinoff of football and baseball, before the entire team was discovered and trained in football.
They have been playing and training outside school since then, competing under the name Melborne United FC.
“We have won several titles already but this is the first time that we represented STC. And we can’t wait to give the school a medal. It pushes us to try hard,” Mejias said.
Mejias also hopes that their efforts might be seen as something that will lead the school to support athletes.
“Although they allowed us, I know they were very hesitant. I know that they are scared for our well-being and safety. But they do not need to worry because being in a sport is really a good thing for us. In a way even, we are empowered as girls,” Mejias said.
“It (being in sports) gives us a chance to push ourselves to excel,” Mejias added.
The team’s mentor, teacher Ella Averila, said that the school is slowly opening up about allowing their girls to get into sports.
“There are already plans to put up a varsity. Especially after the girls’ several achievements. Hopefully it will materialize,” said Averila, who was instrumental for the team to be allowed to compete in Milo after she assured school officials that she will watch over the team.
However, if the school’s plan push through, the trailblazers at STC may no longer get a chance to enjoy it since all but three members of the team will be graduating this March.
“It is ok. At least we will be leaving a legacy for those younger than us. We are already happy if we became the example by which younger kids follow for them to get into sports and for the school to start supporting them,” Mejias added.
For first-timers, they made a huge impression as they made it to the final round, which they did in another impressive fashion as they clobbered the defending champions.
However, making it this far is not as easy as it looks.
“We had to practice in different venues because we do not have a field in school. But it is worth it,” Mejias added.
“Kaning mga bataana, mag kawat-kawat ug practice dinhi sa field,” said CCSC manager Ricky Ballesteros, who was impressed with STC’s performance. “I hope they make it far. It will be good to see them in the nationals next year,” he added. (MCB)
Comments
Michael Casas, formerly of the Carmen team and San Beda, now plays for a Bacolod based college team.
that doesn't even make any sense!