Invest tangibly in women’s football

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Our Reggae Girlz have done us proud and created history in the Women’s World Cup 2023. We applaud their playing resiliently and fearlessly against Colombia, with a one-nil loss, as they ascended to the round of sixteen and got knocked out. Their FIFA ranking should have increased. I believe more can be done in Jamaica to unearth the talent at the senior level.

Our girls are incredible, and true champions. They were chosen from an elite group of female footballers, although a few of them were born overseas with Jamaican parentage. However, those who were born and grew up in Jamaica, they should begin training from the various school levels – from kindergarten to high school and subsequently, the premier league competitions. It takes hard work and effective coaching to learn the tactics and logistics of the game. Also, we need to look at getting more female coaches; male coaches have certain limitations concerning women.

Just as boys who start from the junior stage, from Colts then to Manning Cup, DaCosta Cup and Olivier Shield, I truly believe the girl footballers should have the opportunity to participate in these levels as well. Jamaican coaches along with the Jamaica Football Federation need to focus on this. If Jamaica wants to be a women’s football nation we cannot select a one-time team from adult females. Their talents need to be honed from early, carry them through the ranks – like the boys. This will result in their progression to the international stage.

We should not exclude the necessary investments in sports for the male and female programmes by the private sector and the government – it cannot be just a trickle in the bucket. Success will be far-fetched if enough money is not invested in the programmes, from the school to the national level.

I hope this plea does not fall on deaf ears; if it does, we will always have a fairy-tale dream of winning on the international stage.

DELROY LAWRENCE