BY JOY OFASIA
Francina Moana Mautai loves football and has been passionate about this sport since she was a little girl.
Coming from Temotu the easternmost province of Solomon Islands, Francina Moana Mautai started playing soccer and become one of the country’s women’s football players.
“I began with playing indoor football which is futsal from 2004 to 2008 playing with the Solomon Islands national women’s futsal team. Later in 2009 I shifted to outdoor football and since then I played with the country’s women’s national team,” Francina said.
“What I enjoy most engaging in football is having the chance to travel abroad with the team abroad to play with teams from other pacific countries,” she said.
Francina was influenced and motivated to play soccer since she was little, watching soccer games, especially seeing her cousin sister who played soccer at that time.
“I was a little girl back in those days and loved to watch my cousin sister who was my biggest influence and who also motivated me into playing soccer,” Francina said.
“As a national player, representing my country in the games is an honour and I am very proud that I am in the national team,” she said.
The 30 years old is a police officer by profession. Now balancing her job with her engagements in sports is a challenge for her.
“My biggest challenge is balancing my job with the sport. I find it hard at times since I work in shifts. Tiredness is my biggest challenge,” Francine said.
“But I’m working on it and getting used to it so now things are getting better,” she said.
“I am always restless when coming to the field to do training sessions and gets real tired easily but I don’t blame anyone because this is my passion.”
“Currently we are training for the upcoming 2022 OFC Women’s Nations Cup in July this year.
She said that she needs to improve herself with her trainings on fitness improvement and her own training.
But she is working hard on these challenges, trying to be flexible between these two important activities that she plays as a young woman.
She also highlighted that she is also looking forward to participating in the upcoming SPG games next year and is excited.
“We started with our training last year and are now continuing trying to be fit to compete in all our games.
As the assistant captain for our women’s football national team I am confident that with more trainings ahead of us, we surely can get the Gold medal.
Francina encourages all girls who are passionate about football to go for it and also wants to see more girls engaging in football.
Francina also is a member of the women’s Royal Solomon Islands Police team RSIPF and has participated in many past women’s Football leagues.
All the best Francina 🤩😍