A World Of Football

Phoenetia Browne, St. Kitts and Nevis

Phoenetia Browne is a professional footballer from St. Kitts and Nevis and the first woman from her country to play professionally abroad. She has represented clubs across France, Romania, Finland, Iceland, Germany, and now Spain, where she competes in Liga F with RCD Espanyol Femení. She also captained the St. Kitts and Nevis Women’s National Team from 2018 to 2021.

Phoenetia is the founder of Play More Live Better (PMLB) Recruiting Services and MPWR Girls Football Camp, initiatives aimed at empowering young girls and student-athletes in the Caribbean through football.

My name is Phoenetia Browne and I am the first professional female football player from St. Kitts and Nevis. I have played for clubs in France, Romania, Finland, Iceland, and Germany. Now, I am fulfilling my dream of playing in Liga F Spain, currently for RCD Espanyol Femení and previously for Valencia CF. I am also a member of the St. Kitts and Nevis Women’s National Team.

I grew up in Lodge Project, St. Kitts. At the age of 7, I moved to the US with my family and settled in Piscataway, NJ, where I discovered my love for football. At 15, I officially began playing for the U20 and Senior St. Kitts and Nevis Women’s National Teams. As team captain from 2018-2021, I led the team to the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship (final 8) for the first time ever, after defeating Trinidad and Tobago to top the group and advance to the final round.

From 2011-2015, I attended Columbia University in New York City, earning a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with a minor in Architecture while competing as a Division I student-athlete in women’s soccer. In 2016, I completed my Master of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, finishing my collegiate soccer career with the Texas Longhorns.

After graduation, I worked as an assistant women’s soccer coach at the University of St. Elizabeth and as an assistant engineer at Turner Construction in NYC. However, after a few months at Turner, I decided I was not done with football and took an opportunity to play professionally for UMF Sindri in Iceland. That season I finished second in the league in goals scored.

In 2019, I also founded Play More Live Better (PMLB) Recruiting Services, with the mission of guiding student-athletes in the Caribbean through the process of becoming collegiate student-athletes abroad. I am also a founder of the MPWR Girls Football Camp, which aims to introduce young girls in St. Kitts and Nevis to football in a fun and challenging environment. The first edition took place in July 2022, and it has successfully run for three consecutive years.

What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?

The photos were taken in various locations, including Åland (Finland), mainland Finland, Germany, Switzerland, and St. Kitts and Nevis. Most of the images feature my teammates, while others capture moments from the MPWR Girls Football Camp held in St. Kitts.

I wanted to highlight both the positives and the challenges of daily life as a professional female footballer. The photos show that our experiences off the field are just as or even more cherished as those on it.

One particular photo with my teammates captures one of the tougher aspects of football: injuries. It was taken right after a difficult season in which we were relegated. We were all uncertain about our next steps and knew we would be parting ways after forming a close-knit group at SC Sand. On top of that, two of my teammates had either undergone surgery or were going to have surgery due to injuries sustained during the season. Despite everything, we were still able to smile and cherish our time together because we had each other.

The MPWR Girls Football Camp photos show young girls playing football in St. Kitts and Nevis. They highlight the joy of learning football skills and the camaraderie among the campers. Football in St. Kitts and Nevis is still seen as a sport primarily for boys. With MPWR, an all-girls football camp, we aim to change that narrative.

What are your favourite photos? Why?

One photo was taken on an off-weekend when we road-tripped to Switzerland (with my SC Sand teammates) to unplug from football and reset before the start of a new week. It highlights that football is not just about what happens on the pitch; it is also about the lifelong friendships we build.

Another photo was taken at MPWR Girls Football Camp, which represents an important lesson. The day before, we focused on dribbling, and the players were given their own ball to practice different skills. On this day, we worked on passing. However with the younger players a lot of them wanted to keep the ball once they had it and did not want to pass or share with their teammates. This was a good point to emphasize the importance of sharing the ball and playing as a team to achieve collective success.

What are the current opportunities for female footballers in St. Kitts and Nevis and across Europe?

There are increasing opportunities for players to compete at a higher level, whether in university or professionally. Through my professional experience and PMLB Recruiting Services, I hope to guide more female footballers toward achieving their goals on and off the pitch. I also hope to see more players from St. Kitts and Nevis competing in leagues worldwide.

What changes have you seen in women’s football since you started playing?

The biggest change has been the increased visibility of women’s football. More games - both international and domestic - are being played in front of sold-out stadiums, which is incredible to see.

There have also been improvements in conditions for female players, particularly at the highest levels. However, we still need to push for better conditions across all leagues and levels.

What does football mean to you? What are your ambitions?

Football is the game I fell in love with at the age of 7. It is not just about what happens on the pitch - it has given me lifelong relationships, confidence, an education, the opportunity to travel the world, and the ability to achieve my dreams. I hope to help others do the same.

I want to succeed at the highest level possible. One of my biggest dreams is to qualify for a major tournament with my national team, such as the World Cup or the Olympics.

What is the future for women's football in St. Kitts and Nevis and in Europe? What would you like to change?

Women’s football in St. Kitts and Nevis has a bright future, with the potential to achieve success on the international stage. I would love to see a professional environment created for the women’s program, with the necessary support and resources to turn our potential into lasting success.