Tashane Nash, a player with Latinos Football Club’s female team in Grand Cayman, has received a two-year scholarship at Eastern Arizona College.
The scholarship, with fully funded studies, was made on the recommendation of her coach Brian Faint and the club’s agent Teddy Mitchell.
Faint, who is also the team manager, said he identified Nash, 24, as having exceptional talent, with great skills and commitment using her passion for the game, which originated in her home country of Nicaragua, and continued to grow in the Cayman Islands.
“It was an easy choice selecting Nash when we were approached by the agent,” he said.
Latinos FC manager Emilia Rodriguez, who has worked with the team over the past four years, said she and Faint were proud of the team’s first scholarship.
They described Nash as having a “wonderful attitude”, having taken to her new life in college like a “duck to water”.
Nash, who is studying IT at college, told the Compass she has been playing football since she was a little girl, when she would play with cousins, in her hometown of Bluefields, Nicaragua. She started playing in league games from the age of 16.
She joined the Latinos FC female team in 2020, and has played three seasons with them as a mid-fielder.
“My favourite things is the friendships I’ve make through the seasons,” she said. “Getting to know new people is something I like doing. Also I like when everyone’s having fun playing the game; even if we’re losing, we don’t give up the fight.”
Asked if she would encourage other girls and young women to play the sport, Nash said it’s a game many people can enjoy, even though without natural skill. “If you like the sport and you don’t play well, there is always a thing named training. Training makes you a better player,” she said.
“So, yeah, I would surely encourage anyone to play the sport, but if you’re scared to get injured, then football is not for you. Just a humble little advice.”
Faint and the other team leaders say they hope to give similar opportunities to other players in the future.
“We will identify a talent and develop their abilities, whilst at the same time work closely with our agent, to facilitate further potential recruitment and placement with a college,” Faint said.
He added, “We are passionate about giving more of our talented girls and women from the Cayman Islands or other nationalities opportunities to develop further and obtain a fully paid educational and football scholarships in the USA.”
Latinos FC is currently signing up players. Anyone who wants to join can email [email protected].
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