Published: Thursday, 26th June, 2008 12:00
Dunfermline footballer plays for US team Darton Cavaliers
By Ewan Ferguson
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Rachael McQuade
Pic by: Dunfermline Press
A WEST FIFE footballer is making a big splash across the pond in America in the world of women’s college soccer.
Rachael McQuade (22), from Manse Road, Inverkeithing, has been playing for high-flyers Darton Cavaliers, while studying PE at Darton College, Georgia.
The former Dunfermline Athletic Ladies FC player has a ‘soccer’ scholarship at the college and has to fit her training in around her busy study schedule.
Her team are ranked as one of the best in the country and are considered odds-on favourites to win the national title next season.
Rachael was originally on a scholarship programme at Northern Oklahoma College but was poached by her current team after impressing in the league.
“Just before Christmas I was given the offer (to join Darton) and I couldn’t refuse it,” said Rachael, who is also known as ‘Guinness’ to her team-mates.
“They are a really good college and we have a really good coach.”
Despite being in America for the last 10 months, Rachael still made it back home this summer to play the last few games of the season for Dunfermline.
And playing at a near professional level in America, she had no trouble walking straight back into the team.
“It’s seven days a week,” she said. “If we’ve not got a game then we’re training.
“Our season runs between August and November and we squeeze up to 25 games in so we can have three or four games a week.”
Rachael was first spotted by American scouts when she was 17 and was given the chance to go out then.
At the time, though, she felt she was too young but when the opportunity presented itself last year she grabbed it with both hands.
Unfortunately, it has not been all plain-sailing for the central midfielder.
Due to her punishing seven-days-a-week training schedule and her college timetable, she has not been able to work in the States and is lacking funds.
“It’s about £50,000 to get an education in America,” she explained.
“My scholarship covers my tuition and accommodation, however, I have to pay for books, food and flights. Books can cost up to $600 a semester.”
While at home, she works to save cash but she is now looking for sponsorship to help fund her flights and books.
“I could wear t-shirts with brands when I’m over there,” she suggested.
“I’m willing to do almost anything a sponsor would require such as tattooing my forehead,” she laughed. “Joke! But I am willing to do something.”
Having completed her first year, she now has three more to go before she gains her degree.
Her thoughts, though, are starting to drift to what she could do after college, such as the possibility of following in Scotland star Julie Fleeting’s footsteps.
Fleeting currently plays for Arsenal Ladies FC but spent a season playing in the American Women’s United Soccer Association league.
“I have thought about staying there (America) but it would be hard to get citizenship.
“There used to be a women’s league in America but that folded a few years ago,” she said.
“It’s all about college sports over in America but if there was the chance to go professional I would definitely go for it.”
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