Rachel Cuschieri
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Rachel Cuschieri | ||
| Date of birth | 26 April 1992 | ||
| Place of birth | Malta | ||
| Height | 1.58 m (5 ft 2 in) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Apollon Limassol Ladies FC | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| Birkirkara | |||
| National team | |||
| Malta | |||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). | |||
Rachel Cuschieri is a Maltese football midfielder, currently playing for Apollon Limassol Ladies FC after signing from Birkirkara FC in the Maltese First Division.[1] She first played the Champions League in 2010.
Rachel began playing football at the age of five with San Gwann Football Nursery. She trained up to the age of 13 with the boys' team being the only girl within such age group. San Gwann Football Nursery does not have a ladies football team and her development could not progress any further due to restrictions in place within the maltese footballing authorities that, although she was still a minor she could not play competitive games.
B'Kara Football Club were aware of her potential, took advantage of the situation she was in and signed her up.
Career Move And Development
Within a few months of joining B'kara Football Club, Rachel was playing with the B'Kara ladies first team (Senior) at the age of 13. Her raw talent was being nurtured and developed by experienced coaching staff within the club and being recognised also by senior and Maltese international footballers (men) at the club such as Mr Jamie Pace who used to play for the side at the time.
A short while later, Rachel was selected for the Malta Ladies National Squad and made her debut against Switzerland at the age of 14, which at the time was a record which still stands.
Transition Period And Evolving Career Opportunities
Rachel has transformed from a young girl playing for B'kara FC to a national star. She is known locally and was also being scouted by foreign teams.
During the summer of 2012, she attended a 2 week trial with german footballing giants Bayern Munich FC.
Rachel has represented Malta for 40 times and scored 5 times and was part of the squad which successfully qualified for the european championship qualifiers, and also managed to get on the score sheet within the tournament held a couple of weeks ago. Rachel was recognised by the local media as best player of the tournament, being a highly influential player for the Maltese national team.
Rachel is also the current leading all time top scorer for B'Kara FC (ladies) and youngest goal scorer.
During the summer of 2014, Rachel became the first Maltese female professional footballer to play outside Malta, when she signed for Cypriot side Apollon Limassol Ladies FC.
Rachel Cuschieri currently wears the number 21.
She is a member of the Maltese national team. She scored against Armenia in the 2013 European Championship qualifying's preliminary stage.[2]