Vincent proud to count herself as pioneer

Long before the Reggae Girlz made history by qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2018 and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw emerged as the face of women’s football in Jamaica, several talented players helped lay the foundation for the game’s growth.

Among them were Omolyn Davis, Jamaica’s first homegrown professional female player; Alicia ‘One Left’ James; Venecia ‘String Bean’ Reid; and Tashana Vincent, all of whom became household names during their playing careers.

While many of those outstanding players never got the opportunity to play professionally or compete at a World Cup, Vincent, who was honoured at the recent Bell/Ziadie Memorial Football Festival at St George’s College on Heroes Day, said their generation always dreamed of making a living from the sport they loved.

As a result, seeing the current crop of Reggae Girlz able to earn a comfortable living through football represents a major milestone for women’s football in Jamaica, she noted.

“I am glad you mentioned ‘Bunny’ because that (professional football) is what the players before me wanted to achieve and that was why I played.

“It was to get to the point where women in football can earn a living from football, and it is very exciting and very humbling to know that I helped to pave the way for players who are currently excelling.

“It makes me feel proud because I am not only a former player. I am a fan of the game and a fan of the (national) team. And it is good now to see women can take football seriously and have football as a full-time job,” she commented.

Vincent, who began representing Jamaica as a 14-year-old prodigy, spent more than 15 years with the Reggae Girlz, scoring an impressive 31 goals before retiring from international football shortly before the team’s historic qualification in 2018.

She also ventured into coaching, serving as assistant coach of Chapelton Maroons in the Jamaica Premier League, as well as head coach of the national Under-15 Girlz team and assistant coach of the Under-20 Girlz programme.

Now women’s football development supervisor at Concacaf, Vincent is helping to strengthen and advance the women’s game across the region.

“I am just working, learning and trying to leave the region’s football better than how I got it,” she stated.

Reflecting on the recognition she received on Monday, Vincent said being honoured at home carries special significance.

“It is always good to be honoured for the work that you have been doing all your life, but it is especially sweet when it comes from local people, because they are why I did it.

“I love the game, but I also represented well with distinction because I knew I had the nation behind me, and it is always extremely humbling to be bestowed an honour by citizens of the country.

“When I was contacted about this honour, I made it my point of duty to reach out to my boss and tell him that I had to be in Jamaica for this, because I want to show how important it is and how grateful I am.

“When my own people honour me, I am proud, because it is often said you do not get crowned at home, but this is one case I can say it is not. So much respect to the Bell and Ziadie families, and thanks to Mr ‘Busy’ Campbell for consistently recognising the unsung heroes of this country.”

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com