Back L-R: Christina, Riya, Angelina, Priyanka, Megan Pereira, Shivani, Shruti Nair, Tanvi, Laura, Ritu. Front L-R: Riann, Megan Silva, Ashelle, Tracy, Nirmala, Rachel, Jianna, Shanaia, Soniya.
The Women’s football just like any other team sports in India started off late and at a slow pace. In 2016, India Rush SC fielded the academy girls in the state league consisting of just 4 teams. The following year India Rush SC were crowned the Maharashtra Champions and went to qualify to the IWL final round held in Meghalaya under TD Claude Bolton, 'A' licence coach from Canada. It was a star-studded team with players from across 6 states and some promising players lined up with players having played for Indian National Team. In recent years these promising players have made their mark in the Indian National team.
Having managed the best players at the highest level, the Club management trained their focus on developing a homegrown team supported by few players from the neighboring cities / state. The home team went on the win awards in the U14 and U17 age group of MDFA Youth League in 2019/20. In three years the team has metamorphosised into 90% Academy players making into the Senior team and lot of credit goes to our Women’s team Manager and Coach Nishad Mandalkar who has worked tirelessly under the guidance of ATD George Lawrence and TD Augusto D’Silva.
The Mumbai leg of the IWL qualifiers has started off shakily with a last-minute announcement of the league and then getting it postponed by 10 days only to be cramped with matches to be played every third day in the sweltering March heat.
It’s two match down and the girls in blue have displayed tenacity and confidence to win both the matches to be on top of the pool. The first match ended with Tanvi and Riya scoring a goal apiece to beat Future Star’s 2:1, while the second match was more comprehensive, winning by a whopping 4 goal margin against Oscar Foundation, Rachel scored a brace, and Tanvi and Riya scored the remaining two goals. The match also saw Coach Nishad giving six debutantes match time and in a show of camaraderie team Captain Laura handed over the charge to Rachel, which was fully reposed by Rachel with her brace of goal. It’s down to three more matches in the playoff against tough opponents.
Irrespective whichever team wins from Mumbai, the club is glad to have have stuck to the goal of developing homegrown players, providing them a platform to succeed and a pathway to pursue their dream. Rush has proved it with the boys and now its time for the girls.
Club Sponsor: Bounce India and Jersey Sponsor: Franco
