Juhu’s Smt RSB Arya Vidya Mandir (AVM) has left an indelible mark on the inter-school girls’ football scene. Their dominance has established them as the “Ranis” (Queens) of the game in Mumbai. The team, spearheaded by their physical education teacher-cum-football coach Desmond D’Souza, has consistently showcased their prowess, securing multiple titles and honors over the years. This season, their eyes are firmly set on clinching the Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA) U-16 Division-I championship once again.
The AVM girls’ performance in the inter-school football domain has been nothing short of spectacular. They have emerged victorious in the last two installments of the mid-day Ranis of Rink, which is Mumbai’s exclusive inter-school rink football tournament for under-16 girls. After the successful inaugural season in 2019, the girls from AVM won the second season in 2022 by defeating Dhirubhai Ambani (Bandra) in a thrilling final. They continued their winning streak in the third season (2024) by beating Rustomejee Cambridge International (Dahisar) in the finale.
Despite the school’s lack of a full-sized football field and professional coaching facilities, AVM’s continuous growth and success, especially in the MSSA girls U-16 Division I, is commendable. The school’s grounds pale in size to standard football fields, measuring only 30×80 meters, and the lack of professional infrastructure seemingly does not hinder their impressive run.
Starting with their first MSSA U-12 title in 2014, AVM’s girls U-16 team won the Division-I title in the 2017-18, 2019-20, and 2023-24 seasons, with a runner-up finish in 2018-19. Like many sports events, the MSSA U-16 tournament was canceled in 2020-21 and 2021-22 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The following year saw the school refrain from participating, but the team bounced back stronger in subsequent seasons.
On Thursday, AVM will look to defend their MSSA Division-I title against Bombay Scottish (Mahim) at the St Francis D’Assisi ground in Borivli. In the semi-finals, a solid performance saw them defeat Rustomjee Cambridge International (Dahisar) 4-1. Key players like forward Norah Bhattacharya and midfielder Radhika Vyas have been standout performers, scoring four and three goals respectively. Under the leadership of Stuti Kothari, the team has been phenomenal, not just in the MSSA tournament but across district, state, and national-level meets.
Highlighting their achievements further, the AVM girls triumphed in the District Sports Office (DSO) organized Subroto Cup. They beat Rustomjee Cambridge International School (Dahisar) 2-1 in the DSO Mumbai suburban final and later bested Bombay Scottish (Mahim) 2-0 in the Divisional champions clash. At the state meet held in Balewadi, Pune, they dominated Nagpur Division 2-0 in the final. Their hard work paid off when they represented Maharashtra at the 63rd Subroto International football tournament for girls U-17 in New Delhi—the first time a girls’ team from Maharashtra achieved this feat. In the Subroto tournament, they played three matches, securing victories in two and losing one.
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PE teacher Desmond D’Souza has been the backbone of the team’s success. Joining the school in 2009, his experience as a former football coach proved invaluable. Starting with Class III girls and moving to U-14 and U-16 over the years, D’Souza developed a rigorous training regime despite the limited field space. “These girls are extremely hardworking, talented, and passionate about the game. As a trainer, I focus on their fitness, dynamic exercises, and fundamental football skills,” he explained. Principal Damanjit Kaur Sabherwal’s support allows the girls to train during school hours without compromising their studies.
One of the team’s star players, Radhika Vyas, exemplifies versatility and dedication on the field. Standing five feet tall, she can play in multiple positions efficiently. “Radhika is a midfielder, but I have trained her to play in any position as per the requirement. She’s a huge asset for our team,” praised D’Souza. Complementing this sentiment, Principal Sabherwal remarked on D’Souza’s talent identification and nurturing skills, attributing the team’s success to unity, strategy, and an unyielding attitude.
Former national-level footballer Anagha Janakkiraman, who led the team to its maiden MSSA Div-1 U-16 title in 2017, praised the current team’s passion and hunger. “Seeing my school do well over the years is heart-warming. Our coach Desmond [D’Souza] sir has a fine eye for talent,” she noted from The Hague University of Applied Sciences in The Netherlands.
Current captain Stuti Kothari expressed confidence in her team, noting their strong bond and mutual understanding. “All of us love playing football and have been together for years. We are grateful to our school, coach, and parents for their unwavering support. We are ready to win the MSSA U-16 title this year,” she stated.
Top performer Radhika Vyas credited their success to team unity and D’Souza’s strategic acumen. “Desmond sir is excellent at reading the opposition and adapting strategies. We trust each other on the field, which is the secret to our success,” she concluded.
As AVM Juhu’s girls continue to shine, their story exemplifies how dedication, teamwork, and skilled guidance can overcome infrastructural limitations to achieve remarkable success in school sports.
