ALANGALANG, LEYTE — FundLife partner-school Tanauan School of Craftsmanship and Home Industries (TSCHI)’s all-girls futsal team dominated the futsal event during the Congressional Meet held last September 11 - 13 at Alang Alang National High School, Alang Alang, Leyte.
TSCHI girls topped the secondary girls’ futsal, defeating teams from other schools. Before the tournament, the team were able to secure their spot in the Congressional Meet after winning their respective games in their municipality.
Players of the girls' team are coached by Football For Life Academy (FFLA) Coach Marvin Alaon with the aid of TSCHI Coach and Sports Coordinator Rufino Almaden.
The girls are active in FundLife’s award-winning programme, FFLA, in which TSCHI has been a partner-school/stakeholder since 2017. Aside from FFLA, TSCHI’s all-women futsal team also competes in FundLife’s Girls Community League (GCL).
GCL is a platform which advocates for greater inclusivity and opportunity for all girls through the use of ‘play.’
Playing for the team, Evereth, shared on how FundLife’s programmes helped them on winning the gold; “One of the FFLA coaches helps us every day. We have training and assessment of what we need to grow as a player and what we will do during the game.”
”FundLife's other programme GCL also helped us to have good teamwork and proper gameplay inside the pitch and because of that we were given the opportunity to win.” She added.
Meanwhile, Mr Almaden emphasized “Along with their learning in football and other essential skills, these kids need to have a strong bond with each other. Aside from the drills and the games we need to give them time and space where they can speak to each other freely and share about themselves with one another.”
Leading the TSCHI Girls are GCL’s active players Althea Nicole Cahido, Samarlita Corales, Angilique Rafael, Apple De Veyra, Everette Cadion, Jamille Tecson, Jassamil Tecson, Samantha Lanza, Kerstein Arcena, Jovia Duran and Sherlyn Mercado.
Winning the Congressional Meet is important to them as they were given a chance to prove themselves and for Evereth, it is a way for them to be known that girls can also play futsal and achieve their goal of becoming champions as it is important for their team to become more unified.
"Just enjoy the game as if you are just in a playground, but fight to survive as if you are on a battlefield." Evereth expressed for those who wanted to replicate their success.