The five siblings – Talitta, Cecili, Cecilia, Caroline and Linda – are all strutting their stuff for the Angels, one of the clubs currently taking part in the first ever Women’s National Soccer League in Papua New Guinea.
Talitta is one of the young up-and-coming players in the team and, with four sisters in the squad, does not have to not have to look far for role models and a bit of moral support on the field.
The 22-year-old started playing at the tender age of 14 and made herself known to football followers when she was included in the national women’s team just two years later.
She took part in the 2003 OFC Women’s Nations Cup in Canberra, Australia, where she helped Papua New Guinea to a third-place finish. The side started with a 5-1 win over Cook Islands but were then outclassed by Australia and New Zealand before beating Samoa 5-2.
The emerging star wore national colours again three years later when she and sister Cecilia travelled to Samoa for the 2006 OFC U-20 Women’s Championship. Papua New Guinea again earned the bronze medal and the sisters had a big role to play, Cecilia being an almost ever present and Talitta taking the field in three of the five games.
Talitta’s goal is to play futher matches for her country and to one day earn a living from the game as a professional footballer. She would like to pass on some of her knowledge as a coach when her playing days are over.
She believes the advent of the national competition will be a big boost to the development of the women’s game in Papua New Guinea.
“It’s nice to have the women’s national league started as we need to build up our young players in football,” she says.
Talitta feels there is plenty of potential in the Angels line-up and that they are likely to improve as the season goes on.
“Our team is just starting on a low note and developing slowly compared to our first few games,” she says.
For more on Papua New Guinea football go to www.pngfootball.com.pg