Mont Fleuri Rovers on exchange visit to South Africa |10 January 2018

As part of recognition for the team’s performance and a way to attract more female players to join the team, the Mont Fleuri Rovers women football squad are for the second time in two years organizing educational exchange visits overseas for their players.

The team’s 15-member delegation left Seychelles yesterday afternoon for a week-long educational visit to Johannesburg, South Africa. Apart from touring and learning about South Africa, the team are expected to play one friendly match.

Team manager Damien Jean said it is the team’s philosophy to reward the girls for their good performance during the previous season and to get them to stay together in a united manner before the start of the new season.

Last year the team went on an educational exchange visit to Madagascar and Mr Jean added that the management will try its utmost to host the girls on foreign educational exchange visits, possibly every year if the funds are available.

With only three teams in the league last year, Mont Fleuri Rovers were declared the 2017 women’s champions as they were in the lead at the end of the second round when Victoria City decided not to take part in the third round. With only Mont Fleuri Rovers and Blue Diamond left, the leagues ended prematurely.

Voted best female footballer for the year 2017, Pascalina Moustache, who is on her second such visit, said “it is a good initiative as it motivates us to be united and to continue practising the sport”.

“We don’t only play football, we help and support one another, especially the young players who join the team. We also help those with behaviour problems to change their attitude after a while,” she told Sports NATION.

The delegation who have made the trip consists of Pascalina Moustache, Natasha Bibi, Alisha Matatiken, Anisha Matatiken, Morra Pirame, Shanon Azemia, Juna Philo, Brina Rose, Etelle Confiance, Audrey Bistoquet, Florence Marie, Vanessa Agathine (players), Damien Jean, Veronique Mederick and Rubina Constance (management).

Three other players could not make the trip at the last minute.

The management of the Mont Fleuri Rovers’ team would like to thank all sponsors for their continued support to the team who are expected back on January 15.

P. J.