Marielle Benitez
 Benitez with the Philippine national team in 2013 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 2 October 1981 | ||
| Place of birth | Quezon City, Philippines | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Green Archers United | ||
| Youth career | |||
| c.1995–1998 | PAREF Woodrose[1] | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| c.2001–2004 | De La Salle University[1] | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| SQS United FC | |||
| c. 2016– | Green Archers United | ||
| National team | |||
| Philippines | ~54 | (~5) | |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. | |||
Marielle Moya Benitez[2] is a Filipino footballer who formerly plays for the Philippine women's national football team. She plays in the midfield position. She is also a sports news anchor.
Early life and education
Benitez was born on October 2, 1981 in Quezon City, Philippines.[2] She first took up various sports in her childhood such as tennis, gymnastics, martial arts, basketball, swimming, volleyball, and underwater hockey.[3] She started playing football when she was on her first year in high school.[2] She first took up the sport at PAREF Woodrose. By her third year, De La Salle coach, Hans Smit took notice of Benitez.[4] Graduating from PAREF Woodrose in 1998,[5] she decided to attend the De La Salle University. She later attained two degrees – in Psychology and Marketing Management.[4]
Football career
Collegiate
Benitez played at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines for the De La Salle Lady Booters. She scored the winning kick for her squad in the final of UAAP Season 61 beating defending champion, the UST. On her junior year in college, she switched playing position from defender to midfielder and started to lead her squad.[4]
She was awarded various accolades at the inter-college sports tournament such as UAAP Athlete of the Year in 2004, UAAP Most Valuable Players trice, and UAAP Best Striker/Top Scorer twice.[2]
Club
Benitez played for SQS United FC.[2] By 2016, Benitez is playing for Green Archers United F.C. and participated in the inaugural season of the PFF Women's League.[6]
International
Benitez played for the Philippine women's national football team. She made four match appearances for the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifiers.[7] She has made at least 54 appearances for the national team and scored at least 5 goals.[2]
Coaching
By June 2016, Benitez is already working with the Philippine U-14 girls team as an assistant coach to Joyce Landangan.[8]
Non-playing
By 2012, Benitez was already appointed as the Sports Development and Physical Education Director of the Philippine Women’s University.[4] She also works as a television host, sports analyst and football ambassador for Balls Channel.[2]
Personal life
Benitez is as Bayanihan dancer in the Philippine National Folk Dance Company.[2]
References
- 1 2 "Marielle Benitez". Futbol Fanatics. Futbol Fanatics Football Club. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Marielle Moya Benitez". Pinoyfootball.com. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ↑ Gineprini, Nicholas (30 March 2016). "L’Intervista: Marielle Benitez sullo sviluppo del calcio femminile nelle Filippine" [Interview: Marielle Benitez on the development of women's football in the Philippines]. Tuttocalcio Estero.it (in Italian and English). Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 "Marielle Benitez and her golden goal in life". The LaSallian. 28 February 2012. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ↑ Roque, Nat; Pinga, Gabbee; Lorenzo, Daniella. "Celebrating Linggo ng Wika". PAREF Woodrose School for Girls. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
It was also interesting to note that one of the Bayanihan members, Marielle Benitez, is a Woodrose alumna from batch 1998 and a former team captain of the national women’s football team.
- ↑ Guerrero, Bob (15 December 2016). "PFF Women's League leads the charge for Pinay football". Rappler. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ↑ "Marielle BENITEZ". FIFA. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ↑ Tamayo, Brian (11 June 2016). "For Benitez, early exposure is vital in cultivating Philippine women’s football". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 17 December 2016.