January 24, 2006

 The Reggae Girlz Enter the History books.

A Review of their Progress

 The Reggae Girlz were always destined to achieve great things and do what no other National or Caribbean Women’s team has done. The writing was on the wall from the CFU (Caribbean Football Union) first round qualifiers for the Women’s World Cup. The Girlz won their three First Round games by thrashing St. Kitts, the Bahamas and Antigua 7-0, 12-0 and 10-0 respectively. They defeated a Sherwin Williams All-Star team 1-0 in preparation for the CFU second round. In the second round the victories came again, this time over Trinidad 1-0, Suriname 2-0 and Haiti 1-0.The road to the CONCACAF qualifiers was absolutely brilliant, 6 matches, 6 victories, 33 goals scored and 0 conceded.

 The team is comprised of women who represented clubs in the Sherwin Williams Women’s League. The average age of the team is seventeen (17) years. Despite their age, a few of the ladies have represented Jamaica at the senior level. The Girlz are a great blend of talent, character and discipline. One such example is the goal keeper, Paula Jackson, who is not only brilliant between the posts but also boasts nine (9) CXC examination passes. Great academic performance is quite common throughout the team. The Girlz have a homework coordinator, Mr. Xavier Gilbert who is also the Assistant Coach. Mr. Gilbert ensures that the Girlz do as much academically as they do on and off the field.

 The Reggae Girlz created history on January 23, 2006 in Jamaican and Caribbean Football after demolishing Surinam 9 – 0 and defeating El Salvador 3 – 1 (January 21, 2006) thus securing their place in the Semifinal round of the CONCACAF U-20 Tournament.

 The Jamaican Reggae Girlz are the first National or Caribbean Women’s team to advance to this stage of a World Cup Qualifier. They join CONCACAF kingpins Canada, Mexico and the USA in the semifinal round. The Girlz will face Tournament favorites Canada while the USA will face Mexico.

 Both finalists and the winner of the third place play-off will qualify from CONCACAF for the Women’s World Cup to be held in Russia in August 2006. Their next victory will assure them a place in the finals in the Women’s World Cup. Will the Reggae Girlz do what the Boyz did in 1998? They are certainly in a position to do just that and maybe even rise to higher heights.

Submitted by the Jamaica Football Federation