Reggae Girlz Express Disappointment in Jamaica Football Federation
The Reggae Girlz, Jamaica’s women’s national football team, have expressed their “utmost disappointment” in the “subpar” support from the country’s football federation in the lead up to the Women’s World Cup. Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw shared an open letter on social media, calling for “immediate and systematic change” within the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF).
Reggae Girlz Miss Official Matches Due to Disorganisation
The Reggae Girlz have missed several official FIFA friendly matches due to “extreme disorganisation” of camp logistics. This has impacted their preparation for the World Cup, which takes place in Australia and New Zealand from 20 July. The players have sat down with the JFF “on multiple occasions” to express their concerns, but their “questions go unanswered and concerns unresolved”.
Reggae Girlz Forced to Serve in Multiple Capacities
The Reggae Girlz consist of professional and collegiate footballers who are spread out across the world. They are forced to serve in multiple capacities, trying to overcome inadequate and often unacceptable circumstances, while doing their best to meet the physical and mental demands of the sport. The players hope that by using their platforms to express the reality of their situation, their efforts will be reciprocated.
JFF Struggling to Fund Reggae Girlz World Cup Campaign
Earlier this year, JFF president Michael Ricketts said the governing body was struggling to fund the Reggae Girlz’s World Cup campaign. Jamaica forward Cheyna Matthews said the mother of one of her Chicago Red Stars team-mates had set up a crowdfunding campaign to raise $100,000 for the Reggae Girlz. A sponsorship deal with a fast food chain was announced on Wednesday and Ricketts told radio station Nationwide News Network the JFF was taking the players’ concerns seriously and wanted to “provide as much as we can”.
Conclusion
The Reggae Girlz have expressed their disappointment in the lack of support from the Jamaica Football Federation in the lead up to the Women’s World Cup. They have missed official matches due to disorganisation and have no contractually agreed upon compensation. The players hope that by using their platforms to express the reality of their situation, their efforts will be reciprocated and that there will be immediate and systematic change within the federation. The JFF is struggling to fund the team’s World Cup campaign, but a sponsorship deal has been announced which may help alleviate some of the financial burden.