When the women of Elite Sports Club found themselves short of players for the FA Cup semi-finals matchup against Sunset FC on 9 May, they didn’t have to look far for a solution.
At 62 years old, Martha Godet, a player and president of Elite SC, laced up her boots and battled through an entire 90-minute match against some of the youngest and fastest players in the local women’s league.
While Sunset FC ultimately secured a 3-0 victory that takes them to the finals on 7 June to face off against Scholars ISC, a highlight of the match undoubtedly remains with Godet and her commitment to the sport.
‘Pride and humility’
Godet, currently the league’s oldest active player, admitted, “I don’t follow a strict football fitness routine, so surviving the full match against those younger players surprised even me!”
“Being the oldest player in the league is something I take with pride and humility. For me, it represents perseverance, passion, and dedication to the sport. I hope it shows that age should never stop someone from doing what they love or contributing to the game,” she added.
Enduring a full 90-minute match was an experience she described as “definitely challenging but also extremely rewarding”.
“Physically, it tested my endurance and preparation. Mentally, it reminded me of the discipline and focus the game requires, and emotionally it was very special because it brought back the love and excitement I’ve always had for football. Sharing the field with younger players was inspiring and motivating,” Godet said.
For Godet, playing competitive football was a journey that started later than most players.
“I started playing … at the age of 30, but once I became involved in the sport, I quickly developed a passion for it. Football became more than just a game for me; it became a platform for growth, leadership and community.”
Additionally, her time off the field includes being the executive director of women’s football, the chairwoman of the women’s committee, and director of women’s national programmes for the Cayman Islands Football Association.
“Stepping back onto the field gives me a completely different perspective. From an administrative side, you focus on development, planning and structure but playing again reminds you of the players’ experiences, challenges and emotions firsthand. It helps me better understand what players need and how we can continue improving the local game,” she said.
In 2003, Godet played for the Cayman Islands national team as they competed on local soil twice in the 2004 CONCACAF Women’s Pre-Olympic Tournament qualification against Jamaica.
More opportunities
Reflecting on the growth of the game over the years, she said, “The women’s game in Cayman has evolved tremendously since I first started playing.
“There are now more opportunities for girls, better organisation, more youth development programmes, stronger national teams and greater visibility for women’s football. The growth has been encouraging, and I believe the future of the women’s game locally is very bright.”
This dedication to the sport lead to Godet being honoured nationally with a Long Service Award at the 2018 National Heroes Day in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to sports in the Cayman Islands.
Godet hopes that people “see that passion, commitment, and love for the game can last a lifetime”.
“I also hope young girls and women understand that there are many ways to contribute to football – not only as players, but also as leaders, mentors, coaches and administrators,” she said.
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