Dive into "From The Throne" to explore the personal reflections of players and coaches that highlight their personal journeys, pivotal moments and behind-the-scenes stories that shape their careers. These features paint a personal portrait of the people behind their accomplishments.
Alexis Bayley is a student-athlete at Durham College where she studies in the Millwright Technician program and plays varsity for the women's soccer team. Bayley completed her first season with the Lords this past fall, being named to the east division All-Rookie Team.
She has been a key piece of the Guyana U-20 Women's National Team, helping them to qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship in Costa Rica this month, taking on giants including the United States.
Below is Bayley's story.
-----
When I look back on my journey as a varsity student-athlete at Durham College, I’m filled with gratitude.
This experience has meant everything to me and has shaped me into the person I am today.
As a varsity athlete, I’ve learned to balance the demands of academics, training, travel, and competition.
It has pushed me to grow in ways I never expected, from developing discipline and time management skills to learning how to lead, communicate, and show up for my team.
Durham College has given me a platform to compete at a high level while continuing my education, and I’m immensely grateful for the support system that comes with that — my coaches, teammates, trainers, and professors.
Every moment, from practices to road trips to big games, has been part of a bigger journey that’s prepared me for opportunities like playing for the national team.
And now, as a co-captain of the Guyana U-20 national football team, I have the incredible opportunity to represent my country on the international stage.
This journey has been nothing short of challenging, but it has taught me valuable lessons about resilience, determination, and the power of teamwork.
A journey of resilience and determination
My connection with the Guyana Football Federation began in high school, thanks to a friend who invited me to a training session.
At the time, the women’s program was relatively small, and the federation was actively seeking players to join and help build the program.
This opportunity opened the door for me, but I knew I had to prove myself.
Every training session and tryout was a battle — I had to fight for my spot and work harder than ever to earn my place.
The competition was intense, and I knew that nothing would be handed to me. I had to earn the coaches’ trust and show that I belonged at that level.
As one of the youngest players on the squad, I didn’t get much playing time at first, but I embraced the opportunity to learn and grow.
It taught me about patience, persistence, and the amount of work required to reach the next level.
Now, I’m back with the U-20s as a starter and co-captain. This is my final year capping with the U-20s, and my next big goal is to earn a place on the senior national team.
I’m ready to keep putting in the work to get there.
The challenges of international play
The qualifying process leading up to the CONCACAF Championship was one of the most challenging experiences I’ve been through as a player.
We had only a one-week training camp to prepare physically and mentally for matches against Antigua, Belize, and Haiti.
One of the biggest challenges was adjusting to the heat and the level of play. It pushed us to our limits, both physically and mentally.
Our first game against Belize ended in a 0-0 draw, putting us in a tough position. But instead of panicking, we came together as a team.
We delivered a dominant 5-0 performance against Antigua, which gave us the momentum we needed for our biggest match against Haiti.
Everyone knew the history — Haiti had beaten Guyana in the last two U-20 tournaments.
It was our chance to change the narrative, and we made history by beating them 1-0. That win meant everything.
It wasn’t just about moving on to Costa Rica — it was about proving to ourselves and to everyone watching that Guyana is a force to be reckoned with.
The pride of representing my country
When I found out that we had officially qualified for the CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Costa Rica, I was overwhelmed with emotion.
After everything we had gone through, it was such a proud moment. Knowing that we were the only Caribbean country to qualify filled me with so much pride — not just for our team, but for Guyana as a whole.
Competing in Costa Rica meant stepping into a whole new level of competition, and I was ready to keep proving myself and representing my country with everything I had.
The tournament itself was an unforgettable experience, filled with challenges and highlights. The weather was one of the biggest challenges, with extreme heat and sudden heavy rain pushing us physically.
But the tournament was also mentally draining, as we lost all three of our matches. It tested our mindset, confidence, and unity as a team.
Despite the challenges, there were incredible highlights. Competing against top-ranked countries like the United States, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico gave me a real sense of where I stand as a player and where I want to go.
Another special moment was having our pre-tournament training camp held in Guyana, where we connected with the local community and had the opportunity to meet the President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali.
It reminded us of the pride our country had in us and the significance of representing Guyana on the international stage.
Overall, the tournament was a huge learning experience. Even though the results weren’t what we hoped for, it made me stronger, more focused, and more determined to keep growing as a player.
A new level of competition
This international experience has prepared me for my return to Durham College soccer in countless ways.
Competing at the CONCACAF U-20 Championship pushed me to a whole new level — physically, mentally, and emotionally. The speed of play, intensity, and pressure of playing against some of the top-ranked countries in the world forced me to grow fast and adapt quickly.
I’m coming back to Durham with a stronger mindset, more confidence, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be a leader on and off the field.
Being part of a national team environment also taught me the importance of communication, accountability, and preparation — things I’ll be bringing back to help elevate my college team.
I’ve seen what it takes to compete at the highest level, and now I’m ready to bring that same energy and standard back with me this fall.
The support I’ve received from my coaches and teammates at Durham has meant everything to me throughout this journey with the national team.
From the very beginning, they’ve always believed in me and encouraged me to chase every opportunity that came my way.
Knowing that I had a whole team behind me, rooting for me back home, gave me an extra boost of confidence. It made me want to push even harder — not just for myself, but for everyone who’s been part of my journey.
I’m truly grateful to be part of such a supportive and close-knit environment at Durham.
