Introducing... Bermuda's newest star striker

At the recent Under-17 and Under-20 Caribbean Qualifying Tournaments, one Bermudian player has been making waves with her peformances.  Aaliyah Nolan, just 16, scored hat-tricks in both competitions, helping the Under-17s qualify for the finals to be held later this month. After her success, Nolan was profiled in the CFU’s Beacon publication. Here’s some excerpts on the island’s newest football star...

Aaliyah Nolan is from a football family.

Her father and brother played at club level with the Boulevard Community and with PHC.

She began playing football at 11 and went on to play for the Francis Patton and PHC.

In her time at the latter Club, she won several awards including MVP and Leading Goalscorer.

Her upward trajectory continued, as she moved to play at the National Academy level at age 14.

Nolan’s football interest coincided with her active participation in Track and Field, which she started from the age of eight, and stopped in 2012 when she decided to concentrate solely on football.

Although she is known as a striker, Nolan has demonstrated her flexibility on the field.

She occupies the left wing position when playing for the Academy but operates as a striker in the National Under-20 and Under -17 National teams.

Here she gives an insight into her life as a budding sportswomen...

Are you playing Club football now?

“Yes, I’m now playing for Side Kicks, and I also play Futsal Indoor Football during the off season”.

Who is your professional role model?

“Ryan Giggs (Manchester United), definitely. When I was younger, I wanted to be professional athlete, but now, I want to play football at a professional level. I know its going to take hard work and lots of dedication and sacrifices but I am willing to do my best to get there.

I have represented the National team three times, just recently, at NatWest Island Games with the Women’s league where we played against Greenland and Hitra and won the gold medal. I was the youngest player on the Bermuda team that competed in the CFU Under-20 games in Jamaica, and I was also in the national team playing in the CFU Under-17 matches in Puerto Rico. I think the NatWest games helped to condition me for the CFU competitions.

“This is my second international experience in a sport I love… I represented Bermuda in Track and Field, at the CARIFTA games in 2011 and 2012.”

Are there any persons within Bermuda who influenced or supported your development to this point?

“Oh yes… my parents and my brother, who support me 100 per cent and are my number one fans.

Secondly, my soccer coaches, my National Academy Women’s team-mates and my Bermuda National team-mates, who value my contribution and encourage me.

“I’m very thankful to my track and field instructor, Coach Vickers, who I still train with, and who helps me to maintain my fitness and endurance levels.”

What do you want to do after football?

“I want to become a Veterinarian once I hang up my football boots. I attend Berkeley Institute and should graduate in two years.”