Life in the Shade: One on one with T&T women’s star Mariah Shade

Twenty four year old Mariah Shade, who plays professionally at present in the French second division, is one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most talented female footballers and the centre forward for the Women’s National Senior Team.
Shade spoke one on one with Wired868 before she joined the “Women Soca Warriors” for their ongoing CONCACAF Rio 2016 Olympic qualifying series.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago striker Mariah Shade (left) has her shot closed down by Costa Rica player Wendy Acosta in the 2014 CONCACAF Championship semifinal.(Courtesy CONCACAF)

Full name: Mariah Shade

Date of birth: December 09, 1991

Home town: Los Bajos, South

Schools attended: Palo Seco Secondary and Debe High Secondary in Trinidad and Martin Methodist College in Tennessee and the American International College in Massachusetts.

How would you describe yourself?

Quiet and God fearing.

What is something most people do not know about you?

People look at me on the field and may form one impression of me based on my aggression and determination but they do not know I am very humble and passionate person. My relationship with God is first and foremost for me.

I believe that without God nothing can be achieved. My dedication to him motivates me to use my natural talent to succeed.

When did you first start playing football?

I started playing football between the ages 7 – 8 with my brother and cousins. Football came naturally to me and when they realised my talent they started showing me how to kick the ball to score goals.

What is your brother’s name? Is he playing football professionally?

My brother’s name is Leston Shade. He played for Naparima College and played for Trinidad and Tobago’s National Under-20 and Under-23 team as a goalkeeper. He is not playing professionally at this time.

I cannot pinpoint an exact game, I consider my worst moment to be anytime I don’t have a good game. Whenever that is…

Whatwould you like to accomplish this year?

I just want to score more goals.

What improvements would you like to see for the National Women’s Senior Football team?

I would like us to get more exposure internationally. At the qualifiers, we go up against teams that have a lot more exposure than we do, which is disadvantage for us.

I also wish we could get more support financially as I feel female athletes are often taken for granted in Trinidad and Tobago. We would like to get the same support as the Men’s National Team. Financial support could get a nutritionist for our team, for our team, which is an important factor on any team.

The last World Cup campaign was a wonderful experience, even though we didn’t qualify which was our main objective. We opened the eyes of Trinidad and Tobago in a new way and brought new excitement to women’s football which carried on to the WPL league.

How did you feel playing in front of a packed stadium on December 2, 2014?

It was an overwhelming feeling of joy. It’s always great to play in front of your home fans. I’ve been playing football with the National Team since I was 13 and I’ve never experienced a crowd like we did in December.

How did you feel when the team lost?

No one likes to lose but just like any other disappointment, God is always my strength. I did not cry at all, I felt sad but I just reminded myself who I am and who is in total control of my life and that gave me hope.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago players Kennya Cordner (right) and Anique Walker head for the dressing room after their 1-0 FIFA 2015 Women’s Cup Play Off second leg defeat to Ecuador on 2 December 2014 in Port of Spain.(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

What do you think the team could have done better?

As it was a home game in front of so many fans, we should have started with a lot more fire and put Ecuador under pressure early. But other than that nothing in particular. We played well; it just wasn’t God’s will.

What was your experience at the 2015 Pan Am Games?

It was a wonderful experience to play against some of the best payers in the world and gain more exposure.

What team was the most challenging to play against?

Colombia was the most challenging because they moved to the ball so fast and so well. They had us chasing the game.

Did the Pan Am Games help in terms of international exposure?

Yes, they did. But we need more games like that out of competition in preparation for other games.

Editor’s Note: Mariah Shade and the Trinidad and Tobago Women’s National Senior Team will be in action from 9.30 pm on Friday February 19 in the CONCACAF 2016 Rio Olympic qualifying semifinals against World Cup champions, the United States.

About Kimbly Pierre-Samai

Kimbly Pierre-Samai is a Wired868 intern and is employed in the Communications field at a financial institution. Pierre-Samai holds an Associate Degree with honours in Journalism and Public Relations and is a Certified Event Planner. She is currently pursuing her BA in Mass Communications at COSTAATT.

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