By Carlena Knight
Nia Coates recorded her first collegiate football goal over the weekend.
Coates, playing for the North-East Texas Community College Lady Eagles, was one of many goal scorers in her team’s 9-1 thrashing of North Lake College on Tuesday.
The former Christ the King High School (CKHS) student was one of three female footballers to receive a scholarship to attend the institution through the Freekick Foundation Performance camp held earlier this year.
Kameely Jackson, Janequa Lewis and Coates all left in August.
One of the local organisers of the Freekick Foundation event and an executive member of the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA), Arlene Josiah, congratulated the three via Facebook for their achievement.
“Blessings to our young ladies that went off to school on a football scholarship from the Freekick Foundation. I am so proud of the athletes [and] their parents and coaches that encouraged these children to better themselves.
”We had some challenges from some football officials that thought the Freekick Foundation wasn’t a legit foundation, but thank God we the organisers of the Freekick here in Antigua never let the negativity distract us; we still went forward with the positive aspect for our young athletes. Let us continue to support our athletes and continue to encourage them to stay positive and go after their dreams.”