Papua New Guinea’s women’s U17 captain Margaret Joseph seeks to excel and improve her career in football.
The 16-year-old of mixed East Sepik and Gulf parentage realised her potential after being appointed to lead the U15 side to the Olympic Youth Games in 2014 and the U17 girls to the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) World Cup qualifier in Cook Islands in January 14-24.
“For me, I’ve come to realize that leadership is something that can be applied in any area and in sports teams, it is just as important,” Joseph said.
She completed grade 12 last year at the Gerehu Secondary School in Port Moresby and is currently waiting for an offer to continue her tertiary education.
The youngster said she was only starting out in women’s soccer but she hoped to learn from the experiences leading and playing at international tournaments.
She admitted one of the problems she stumbled on when appointed to the role in 2014 was speaking.
“I am not a good speaker but since given the role, I’ve been improving in this area because it is very important to be able to communicate with the team you are leading,” she said.
Moreover, she plays for the Yamaros senior women’s side in the Port Moresby Soccer Association.
She has now made it into the PNG U20 side and she is currently in Goroka under the watchful eyes of PNG U20 coach Lisa Cole.
Making the senior side is her ultimate sporting goal.