SKN Women’s team brings passion and preparation to home qualifier
BASSETERRE: The St. Kitts and Nevis Senior Women’s National Team — the Sugar Girlz — will face Panama this evening at the National Bank Group Technical Center in what promises to be a landmark moment for women’s football in the Federation. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM, with free admission open to all.
Head Coach Earl Jones, who described preparations as “very good,” struck a confident tone ahead of the match. “I can’t complain about the preparations,” Jones said. “The atmosphere is right. Everything is set right — the attitude is right and the environment is just good for them to understand what we want them to do, and how we want them to play. So I cant complain about the preparations.”
Jones acknowledged the squad is still finding its footing as a collective unit but emphasised the steady progress being made.
“The team is a very good team — a work in progress, a fairly new team. This group started our campaign together last year against Anguilla, and every time we played together we just gelled better,” he said.
The Sugar Girlz have already played two qualifiers, suffering a 2-1 loss to Aruba and earning a creditable 2-2 draw with Cuba. Tonight’s home match represents an opportunity to build momentum before their own supporters.
Jones credited the blend of home-based talent with players recruited from abroad as key to the team’s identity.
“The home-based players have a lot of youth, and these players are accustomed to one another. The players that come in now are players we scouted, and some that really reached out because they really wanted to play for the island federation.”
The SKNFA is urging fans to don national colours, bring flags, noisemakers, and whistles to rally behind the squad.
“Together we fight. Together we believe. Together we win,” the SKNF declared social media.
The Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Jahnique Arthurton, Quinn Josiah, Craveicia Sutton
Defenders: Myesha Rawlins, Junequa Henry, Iyanla Bailey, Malaika Rouse, Kenya Virgo, Alexis Gordon, Sharema Blake, Tarvia Phillip
Midfielders: Christi-Anne Mills, Cloey Uddenberg, Jasmine Allen, Julica Isaac, Takia Carty, Alani Jordan
Forwards: Mia Isaac, Jorda James, Ellie Stokes, Ella Richardson, Omeara Delaney
Head Coach: Earl Jones
Kickoff: 7:00 PM • National Bank Group Technical Center • FREE Admission