Fil-Australian boosts RP bid in womenâ€™s football

BillShankly · Post by **BillShankly** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 9:45 pm

THE PHILIPPINE womenâ€™s football team will parade a Fil-Australian when it plays a Singaporean squad in a friendly this weekend at the ULTRA pitch.

Finally taking the example by other national sports associations, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has made Fil-Australian Nenita Dollente Burgess its first reinforcement for the fledgling RP booters.

National womenâ€™s team co-manager Cathy Rivilla said the presence of Burgess, a Tennessee-based defender, may just increase the competitiveness of the team, specifically in Southeast Asia.

"She (Burgess) is just perfect for the team," said Rivilla in yesterdayâ€™s weekly PSA Forum at Shakeyâ€™s Restaurant along UN Avenue. "She can influence the team in a lot of technical aspects and weâ€™re hoping that it will give the team more confidence in future tournaments."

The 21-year-old Burgess, who started playing the sport since she was 10, is excited to display her wares with with the RP team despite going through some adjustments.

"Iâ€™ve been here for almost two months already and Iâ€™ve been adjusting to the weather and the place, but Iâ€™m excited to play with the team," Burgess said.

Burgess played in several club teams in Australia before her family moved to Tennessee in 2005. She had also joined the football team in Middleton State University.

Team captain and center midfielder Marielle Benitez, likewise, welcomed the new development, saying "she (Burgess) can influence the squad to come up with the intensity we needed since they have trained abroad."

The first friendly between the RP team and Singapore is set at 4 p.m. on Saturday with a second meeting set on Monday at 6 p.m., also at the ULTRA.

Ernie Nieras, also the teamâ€™s co-manager, added other countries like Bahrain and Malaysia likewise wanted to have friendlies with the RP team.

The scrimmage, according to Rivilla, will give the team some more experience in its build-up for the ASEAN Womenâ€™s Football Championship set in September in Myanmar.

The locals are grouped with 2005 Manila SEAG gold winner Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia.

The RP team almost made it to medal round in the previous biennial meet and managed only a fourth place finish.

Teza · Post by **Teza** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 9:51 pm

neits = gun, go neitsy go!!!!

beaches · Post by **beaches** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 1:15 am

Hey Neits wondered where you were. lol. Good Luck. We know it was a tough decision to make. But you made it for the right reasons. For the good of the game in a developing football country, and a chance to play against some class players from other countries. We are sure the Dollente Clan will be there at the games cheering you on. Wish we could be there.
We are proud of you, those who know you will wish you success and the most important thing YOU HAVE EVERY REASON TO BE PROUD OF YOURSELF. Love Ya.

beaches · Post by **beaches** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 8:16 am

I am a little biased toward this southerner. lol. I love em all.

Go to http://www.pinoysoccer.com home page.

KrAzY · Post by **KrAzY** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 4:50 pm

Weeeeeeeeeeee love you Malts weeeee do!

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee love you Malts weeeeee do!

we love you MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALTS weeeeeeeeeeee dooooo!

OH NENITA BURGESS WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE LOVE YOU!!

Torzzz · Post by **Torzzz** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 6:00 pm

farken well done neits! a true star and inspiration

Kirrals · Post by **Kirrals** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 9:34 pm

Arggghhhhhhh Neits.. I am ever so PROUD OF YOU! U r the best n I luuuuuvvv U! G O O D L U C K My Friend.. Do me proud n show them everything I TAUGHT YOU! hahaha

keep me posted on MSN sweetheart

P.s Tell Me Your Wearing our #8? haha

shorty · Post by **shorty** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:37 pm

ya dad came ovaa the otha nite and filled us in - awww my lil blaack duck is soo good!!

oi neits - we wer saying at fulham that we aregoing to meet up at the world cup with our teams here goes
- neits, philipines
- mj, croatia
- me, australia

(pretty ssure i ended up wih the beta end of stick!!)
- nadz, croatia
- thomai, greece
- caz, england
- harry, broken hill (she duznt like flying too much hahaa)
- anng, USA

we have it sorted ALL for YOU!!!

goodluck darll!!

Tricky_Feet · Post by **Tricky_Feet** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 10:13 pm

well done burgo... im so proud of you!! lol

beaches · Post by **beaches** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 9:22 pm

Result of first friendly PHILIPPINES 3 Singapore 0.

beaches · Post by **beaches** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 8:38 pm

Result of game 2; SINGAPORE 2 . Philippines 0.

shorty · Post by **shorty** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 2:42 pm

did neits score??!!

beaches · Post by **beaches** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 3:56 pm

Nope. not even an own goal. lol.

shorty · Post by **shorty** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 10:32 pm

but i heard from a close source of mine that she hit the post/crossbar several times!!! (maybe i should teach her how to really header a ball hahaha

) just jokes neits - i know u can header i learnt my heading skills off u haha

courtz · Post by **courtz** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 10:03 am

shorty wrote:but i heard from a close source of mine that she hit the post/crossbar several times!!! (maybe i should teach her how to really header a ball hahaha ) just jokes neits - i know u can header i learnt my heading skills off u haha

and thats why ur in goals shorty! lol i joke
love u burgie

billy the kid · Post by **billy the kid** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 10:19 am

Onya Nenita. Great write up.

Sad thing though, is that as a former sasi player, her exploits o/s are not acknowledged in their newsletters. They're celebrating 25 years of sasi. woudl be good to read about those players in an official capcaity.

Not all SA girls end up playing for the matildas. Stacks of girls playing o/s and who were former sasi players: stocco, burgess, etc etc etc.

Proud of those players who are doing a great job flying the ausse flag.

shorty · Post by **shorty** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 1:36 pm

point proven - thanks cj... now im gunna go and slit my wrist and paint my nails black!!!

yeah it is awesome to see those players doing well - hopefully now gianna can do the same in florida!!!

Kirrals · Post by **Kirrals** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 11:56 pm

Your my hero Neits!.. haha speaking of heros.. wearing #4 ay? suprise suprise.. If u cant have good old #8 which thruout the yrs Ive had to share it wit u.. (or u have it and i get it after u leave the damn team) 2nd best number would have to be none other than Di's number.. hahaha chances are I know u too well n it woulda been ur 1st choice rite? hahah

Goodluck Neitsy Pie.. continue to do S.A + AUSTRALIA + ME (oh n the southside of Adelaide) Proud!