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‘Footcast with Norman’ to relive NMI soccer moments
Members of the CNMI Women’s National Team celebrate after scoring their first international goal during their 2009 match against Macau in the East Asian Football Federation Women’s Football Championship 2010 Semifinals Competition in Chinese-Taipei. (Contributed Photo)
Want to know more about the pains and gains of CNMI soccer from the players that made significant contributions to the development of the program?
Tune in to “Footcast with Norman,” a 10-part series that will feature former members of the CNMI national team and the squad’s journey as they stepped in create the path to success for the future generation.
The CNMI’s Mark McDonald, right, goes for a header against Guam goalie Brett Maluwelmeng and a Guam defender during the inaugural Marianas Cup in 2007 at the Oleai Sports Complex. (Saipan Tribune)
“The concept of the podcast is for CNMI players to share their stories, sacrifices, hard work, and fun memories with the team. In this way we could also share the history of the national team to new and younger players and inspire them,” said MP United Football Club technical director and Northern Mariana Islands Football Association Executive Committee member Norman Del Rosario, the creator of the podcast.
“We will be featuring the heroes of the national team and their significant role in shaping the NMI soccer,” he added.
Del Rosario said he is still working for the perfect time to air the pilot episode, but the series is scheduled weekly and will be shown at #supportlocalsoccer #wearenmi.
“There are many off-island players, so we have to see what schedule will work for them and for us,” the former CNMI Men’s National Team manager added.
Members of the CNMI Women’s National Team pose for a group photo before playing against host Guam in the 2009 Marianas Cup. (Saipan Tribune)
Though there’s no schedule yet on the pilot episode, Del Rosario said “Footcast with Norman” will kick off with a conversation with Emily Gries Maxberry, Patricia Coleman, Natalie Hill, and Lindsay Davis, who were members of the first CNMI Women’s National Team.
The four players along with Meaghan Hassel-Shearer, Katie Peters, Rebecca Newman, Francine Sablan, Jennifer Linden, Maryana Gramlich, Brenda Schultz, Zoe Jewell, Rima Halaby, Divya Sharma, Madison Smith, Elisa Fejeran, Nikki Gabaldon, Ashley Hofschneider, Connie Camacho, and Amanda Allen were named to the 2007 national squad that bowed to Guam (0-7) in the inaugural Marianas Cup. The following year, Coleman, Hill, Davis, and Maxberry suited up for the national team anew and this time forced Guam to a draw.
The national players continued their progress while facing more challenges, as they also competed in East Asian Football Confederation and Asian Football Confederation-sanctioned tournaments.
