Why Now Is The Time For Amateur Footballer Romario Burgins
Three years ago today, Romario Burgins laid in a hospital bed in Martinique. He had just completed surgery to put back in place his lower jawbone that was broken in two places. The doctors would have to put a temporary seal to keep his mouth shut. On Nov. 27, 2017, Burgins got into a motorcycle accident in Dominica and had to be flown to the neighbouring French Antilles to seek emergency medical care.
“It took me over a year to start back playing football,” says Burgins. “I thought that was the end of it for me.”
Today, Burgins is the 2019-2020 Golden Boot Awardee; the top scorer for the Premier League in Dominica. He scored 14 goals out of 16 featured games. Burgins has his heart set on playing for the national team in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in March 2021.
Tamika Burgins, his sister recalls that night in November vividly. She was asleep when she got a call from her cousin saying her brother was on his way to the hospital and in critical condition. “I did not believe her, I had just said good night to my brother and he had gone to his room,” says Tamika.
Her phone revealed many missed calls, she became frantic and started to cry. Burgins had sustained head injuries and dislocated his jaw.
“I got so depressed, I was afraid I had lost him,” says Tamika. She did not sleep that night.
The near-death experience could have destroyed this striker’s dream of playing professional football. Burgins, now 25-years old has wanted to go pro since he was seven. He would sit on the wall near the field in his village of Thibaud every day watching the older boys play football. His mother would eventually convince them to teach him the game. He has never looked back.
Burgins went on to play for his high school team at the Portsmouth Secondary School. “All I wanted to do was play football, it made me feel great,” says Burgins. Described as a very quiet and reserved young man, Burgins would come alive on the field. He demonstrated exceptional technical ability and scored goals.
Romario Burgins in action during Windward Island schools competition in St. Vincent in 2012 / Source: Oris Photography
“I could see his talent right away, he was fast,” says Glenson Prince, his former high school coach and the captain of the Dominica National Football Team. “He was always receptive to information and was a joy to work with.”
Scoring was never an issue for Burgins. Once he got the ball, he was gone. With the help of his teammates, he would secure many wins for his school. He graduated in 2014 with the award for “Best Footballer”.
Burgins believes that he still has a chance in making it big and he is not giving up.“I believe there are ways that this can happen,” says Burgins. “I am fit and young and any opportunity that comes my way I am willing to grab it.”
He has had many setbacks, disappointments and losses over the last few years, including losing his coach, Kurt Hector in a traffic accident in 2013. They were on their way to play in St. Vincent.
“It is difficult for a lot of us, I work construction full-time, it’s hard work and after working eight hours I have to go and train,” says Malcolm Joseph, a defender on the national team. He has known Burgins since they were children. They played alongside each other in high school.
L.A Enterprises Bomber FC vs Harlem United FC at Windsor Park Sports Stadium in Dominica. L.A Bombers won 3-2 with Burgins scoring a hat-trick. Aug 16, 2020 / Source: Alyan Christopher
Being a sportsman in Dominica can be very discouraging. The athletes lack the facilities to train and there is little, to no financial reward. Most guys who play, do it part-time and for the love of the game.
“Romario is talented, he is a good striker and very disciplined,” says Henrich Anselm, the manager of the national team. “I scouted him a few years back, he was playing for his village team in Dublanc.”
Anselm, who is also the president for the L. A Enterprise Bombers, a local club from Portsmouth in Dominica recruited Burgins to play for that team. At the time they were struggling to score goals and the following season Burgins would play for the L.A Bombers.
“We won the All-Island League with him,” says Anselm. “It was a young team, he assisted us on the Premier team and he did very well.”
Burgins is currently training for the national team. He works as a farmer helping his mother by planting limes, passionfruit and tangerine. Money is sometimes tight and getting to training can be taxing but he is determined. “I am inspired when I see my countrymen make it out to semi-pro and pro level,” says Burgins. “I am ready.”
Tamika follows every game her brother plays. She says she might be biased, but her brother is a star. “I think his heart is shaped like a football,” says Tamika. “Someone needs to see Romario and give him an opportunity, I know he will not take it for granted.”
