The women’s game might not have been around for a long time on the Maltese islands, with the first Malta FA championship being organised just in the 1995-96 season and won by Rabat Ajax.
However, despite the several hurdles that the female players faced throughout the years and the constant limitations by which the women’s game has to abide even in present days, the local movement has managed to nurture strong players who fulfilled their football talent.
The list of talented female footballers is growing continuously, especially due to the fact that now the opportunities for girls to start practising the Beautiful Game from a young age are increasing.
This improvement is reflecting at international level where the Maltese female selections are delivering solid results, including the record ten points picked up by the senior side during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 qualifications.
Captaining her country during those qualifiers was veteran midfielder Dorianne Theuma. She has been part of the national team side since the first ever international game back in 2003.
On Friday, she continued to add more individual accolades to her name by winning an impressive eighth Malta FA Women’s Best Player of the Year – a record, with her first being won back in the 2002-03 season.
“This award means a lot to me because it helps me realise that there are still a lot of people who believe in me and appreciate my abilities on the field,” Theuma told the Times of Malta.
“All this support is a driving force for me which keeps me motivated in order to give my all whenever I am out playing.”
In recent years, we are used to the term legend thrown every where in football. But Theuma truly epitomises the figure of a legend.
The 38-year-old player, who has been playing in the domestic game since 1997, is the only player to have collected 100 caps for the women’s side. A feat that puts her alongside some of Malta’s big names in the men’s game.
At domestic level, Theuma holds the record of most appearances in local competitions with 417 games while with 399 goals she is the all-time top scorer, having also topped the league’s scoring charts on seven occasions. It’s all about her mentality.
“Football is an integral part of my life which gives me a lot of satisfaction,” Theuma explained.
“I’m always committed to give my 100 per cent so that I won’t have any regrets afterwards.”
Theuma has won every domestic competition having been part of two important clubs throughout the history of the Maltese game in Hibernians and Mosta.
She played in the UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifications with the two teams, collecting 12 appearances.
Now, the evergreen player is set to embark on her fourth season at Swieqi United where she is determined to help her side pick up their first major trophy in the women’s game.
“I have won with every club I played for,” the Malta player underlined.
“My ambition is to win with Swieqi United who are committed in helping the women’s game grow and I truly want to pay back their trust by helping the side win their maiden championship.”
