TCIFA’s Academy Player, Monae Gooden, Lands A Full Ride To ASA College
Whether athletes have professional playing aspirations or intentions of specializing in other disciplines whilst experiencing the game abroad, sports have, for many years, been an appealing gateway to higher education. Football scholarships are becoming increasingly competitive and are one of the most rewarding opportunities for players with dreams of playing in a competive environement which could lead to a professional career. With a great amount of emphasis placed on both talent and academics, scouts are faced with the difficult task of assessing and guiding players, choosing only the most exceptional to join their collegiate squads. The Turks & Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) strives to provide its dedicated players with these types of pathways to success, and advocates for lifelong development opportunities.
Monae Gooden is yet another rising star, recognized for her performance at the 2017 Fall Identification Camp & Showcase, hosted by TCIFA. Amongst the five college football coaches invited to assess the talent display, was Juan Carlos Gonzales, who was named the first ever Men’s Soccer Coach for ASA College in May 2014, and was on the point of completing his third season as the Head Coach of the ASA College Men’s Soccer Team. Gonzales was responsible for the recruitment of Mackenson Cadet to ASA College Men’s Soccer in August 2017 and recommended Monae to the Head Coach of the Female Football Program at ASA College.
Gooden graduated Salutatorian of the Wesley Methodist High School’s (in Providenciales) Class of 2017. She was first introduced to the sport through the TCIFA School’s Football Curriculum, and has accumulated a valuable 7-year playing experience through the TCIFA’s Youth Development Football Programme. Gooden will be led by David Luna, Head Coach of ASA Women’s Soccer, and embarks on her studies in the Summer Semester commencing late May 2018.
“I’m so excited and grateful to be a recipient of an ASA College Football Scholarship! I sincerely appreciate the support of all those persons who’ve made this possible, especially the TCIFA. It is quite evident that TCIFA strongly values higher education, and their efforts have allowed me, and many others, to be one step closer to our goals. I hope that one day I will be able repay the TCIFA for this opportunity” Gooden expressed.
