Caribbean Sports Network

NATIONAL women’s football team utility player Arin King is savouring her experience with the squad, both at the Under-20 and senior team levels. In an interview on the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) website, the 19-year-old Canadian-born King stated, “my experience with the TT team has been amazing.

“I’ve been privileged to meet many new people and gain knowledge about the game from team-mates and a great coaching staff,” she added.

Asked about the transition from playing in the Canadian circuit to the Trinidad and Tobago team, she replied, “in respect to the transition from Canada to Trinidad, it was hard to adapt from cold weather to the blazing hot sun but I can’t complain, who doesn’t enjoy nice warm weather right?

“But I feel I have made a comfortable transition from the U-20s to ‘senior’,” she added. “The ‘senior’ team definitely trains with a lot more intensity and there is lot more understanding for the game so I really had to come to training prepared.”

King, who currently attends the University of Toronto, admitted, “at one point I actually had taken some time off school because I was travelling so frequently to play football with the U-20s and as well as the ‘senior’ team. I had even missed some summer classes for the CFU games just recently. “However, it’s all about prioritising your schedule and time to be able to stay committed to your passion in life but still concentrate on getting a good education,” she added.

Questioned about her aspirations, off and on the football field, she indicated, “off the football pitch I aspire to finish schooling and to be able to travel the world.

“And on the pitch, like any other footballer, I truly wish and have the dedication to reach a World Cup with the national team. That would truly be an experience of a lifetime.”

King admitted that she admires the influence of her parents in her life, both as a footballer and as a person. She will not be able to represent Trinidad and Tobago at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Puerto Rico due to school commitments but she will be available for selection for the national team at the CONCACAF Gold Cup in Mexico later this year.

“At the Gold Cup we will come across better teams that will give us a run for our money, so I’m really looking forward to how we will handle the pressure and come out victorious,” she noted.

Concerning her link to Trinidad, King stated, “my mom was born in Trinidad but moved to Canada when she was young, so I am able to play for the Trinidad and Tobago team because of her.

“Football wasn’t the first thing that brought me to Trinidad,” she continued. “I’ve been coming here to enjoy the Island and Carnival since I was one-year-old, the addition, playing football has just made coming here that much better.”