‘It’s great to have Women's Muratti back’ says Gallienne

Gallienne captained the Guernsey side for the last women’s Muratti back in 2016, which ended in a convincing Jersey win, but she has retained her enthusiasm for the Channel Islands footballing spectacle set to unfold in Springfield next May.

This will mark the end of a four-year hiatus and provide an additional major goal in the build-up to the Guernsey 2021 NatWest Island Games.

After embracing the recent introduction of a Channel Islands Women’s League, Gallienne eagerly awaits the grand occasion on 17 May.

‘It’s great to have it back – it’s fantastic,’ said Gallienne.

‘It’s brilliant for the players who went previously that they have a chance to play again and also for the new, up-and-coming young girls footballers around that age – 16 – when they can play.

‘We have got a CI Women’s League at the moment and by having that, it has set a good ground for the Muratti, as we can play against Jersey more than a few times a season.’

Guernsey FA director James Falla had earlier confirmed the home Games as a big focus, commenting: ‘The return of the Muratti is an important step forward for the growth of the women’s game in the island, as we still maintain our focus on the development of our squad for the 2021 NatWest Island Games in Guernsey and beyond.’

Gallienne has been no stranger to the heightened interest in the women’s game in recent years.

As the established player anticipates bidding for another Muratti cap among some fresh talent, she credits not only Guernsey’s ‘Goal21’ strategy but the growing profile of women’s football in general – the island’s own Women’s Super League player Maya Le Tissier playing a starring role.

‘Maya, she’s playing in the UK now, which is fantastic,’ she added.

‘I think girls have something to aspire to now, as before they would not see it on the telly and know they can aim to do that, to become a women’s footballer.’