Soccer Mom for life

THERE WAS a moment in last Sunday’s Jamaica Premier League match at the Anthony Spaulding Complex when Cavalier defender Adrian Reid was somewhat ‘roughed up’ during an aerial challenge with Dunbeholden’s number-10, Nicholas Nelson.

The Cavalier’s bench jumped up promptly, vigorously shouting towards match official Oshane Nation, ‘Referee, foul!’

A call was made in their favour, and they quickly retreated to their seats.

But there was an even louder shout coming from the stands, directly behind the Cavalier dugout.

“Hey bwoy, mind weh yuh a do to mi baby enuh!” was the shout coming from Reid’s ever-present mother and biggest fan, Camoye Ricketts, affectionately called ‘Ginger’ by her peers.

The dedicated mother-of-three says she has not missed a game since 2016 when a then 10-year-old Reid showed his skills on the ball during a game on a dirt-patch field at his alma mater, St Patrick’s Primary School, in Kingston.

“From him young, he has always made me proud on the field,” said Ricketts, who is a former high-school athlete.

“I don’t think I will ever stop supporting him like this, because he is very talented and humble,” the 34-year-old further emphasised.

Reid, currently a lower sixth-form student at St George’s College, says his mother’s presence in the stands serves as added motivation for him when playing.

“She is always supportive. Even far away games, she is always there,” he said, after his side’s 1-0 win.

The 17-year-old says his mother is always the first to embrace him during the highs and lows of his young football career.

She was there beside him when his St George’s College lost in the Colts final in 2022 to Campion College. She was also there, in 2022 and 2023, when they were back-to-back winners in the Roper Cup against Kingston College.

And, she was also there when Cavalier lost three finals last season, his maiden year at the club, in the Links Cup, JPL and Caribbean Cup tournaments.

“Just her love and support helped me to deal with those emotional roller coasters enuh, I really don’t know how to explain it,” Reid said.

Ricketts said she has sacrificed a lot to ensure that she is there to support her son. Her dedication has also caught the eye of Reid’s coach, Rudolph Speid.

“I noticed that she is always at his games and sometimes she carries him to the games also. I think she is one of his biggest supporters and she carries his brother and sister there too. What I appreciate about her is that she is not like other parents who are overbearing and want to come to the technical staff and make suggestions. She is just supportive and trusts us, and that is really appreciated,” he said.

Cavalier, who sit fifth in the points table on 18pts, are looking to shake off an early season slump.

They are seemingly on that path having claimed clean sheets in their last two league fixtures.