Fijian football player Trina Davis expressed her team’s luck after a 4-1 victory over the Solomon Islands…
BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
“We are fortunate with the result we got, but I think it’s going to be a tough match every time we play Solomon Islands,” Trina Davis, the first female Fijian professional football player, said in a post-match interview.
On Friday, Fiji Kulas managed to secure a comfortable 4-1 win against the Solomon Islands in the final decider of Group D, XVII Pacific Games 2023 women’s football competition. Trina Davis scored two goals, displaying her scoring quality on the pitch at the Lawson Tama Stadium.
“I know it’s going to be a hot battle because, you know, in Oceania, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, or Vanuatu are probably among the top teams,” said Davis, who has been a fantastic addition to the Fiji Kulas at this year’s Pacific Games.
Fiji will face New Caledonia in the semi-finals of the Pacific Games 2023 football competition today at Lawson Tama Stadium.
Davis said that winning a gold medal for Team Fiji is her top priority.
“Winning gold for Fiji is my primary objective from the beginning, and once we advance past the semi-finals, we still have work to do,” revealed Trina, who was born in the United States to an American father and a Fijian mother.
The American-born Fijian footballer said this was her time to play a competitive football match in the Solomon Islands.
“I’ve never played in the Solomon Islands before. This is my first time here and my fourth game against the Solomon Islands, and like I mentioned before, it’s always a difficult game to play against them,” Trina said.
At the age of sixteen, Davis began playing for the Fiji National Women’s Team and made her international debut for Fiji in the 2018 OFC Women’s Nations Cup qualification tournament, hosted by Fiji. She scored a hat-trick against Vanuatu in her first match.
“Being the first female professional football player in Fiji has not come easily to me. I realized at the age of twelve that there was nothing else I wanted to do with my life. I committed to playing football because I never wanted to stop.
“My parents have always encouraged me and everything I’ve accomplished. They have gone above and beyond to provide me with everything I need to reach my current position. They always helped me get back up and played hard to get me back on my feet, even when I was having a bad day. My mother would frequently tell me to never give up on my goals and to keep moving forward.
“I joined the Fiji national team at the age of sixteen, having been introduced by my coach at Grambling State University, Justin Wagar. It all started when she introduced me to Christophe Gamel, the head coach of the Fijian men’s team,” she said.
The Fijian international declared that she wants to continue her football career in the United States and that she will obtain contracts there after the 2023 Pacific Games.
“I intend to pursue my career by seeking a contract in the United States or anywhere else,” Trina revealed.
Trina is a constant source of motivation for girls and women in the Oceania region, demonstrating that they too can succeed in sports that have historically been dominated by men. Her advice to aspiring women footballers in the Oceania region is to dream big and never give up.
“To all of the young, aspirational female athletes out there, know that you are having a positive impact by participating in sports. Follow your enthusiasm and keep going after your goals, regardless of what other people may say.
“Enjoy these times of development and friendship with your group because they will always remain in your memory. Even though there might be difficulties along the way, keep in mind that they are only temporary and will only make you stronger.
“Appreciate the gift of being a female athlete, and don’t allow anyone to diminish its significance. Venture to dream big and never give up until you realize your goals,” Trina advised.
