CHANGING THE NARRATIVE: A STORY OF TRANSFORMATION
From having the women’s program cut by the Jamaican Football Federation (JFF) and consequently staging as unranked by FIFA in 2010 due to inactivity, the power of allyship in 2014 undoubtedly sparked potential hope for the future of the Reggae Girlz as Cedella Marley, daughter of legend Bob Marley interceded and provided financial support through the Bob Marley Foundation ensuring they received financial support equal to their male counterparts. Despite the support, the Reggae Girlz were disbanded just two years later.
Their unwavering courage led to them reassembling and advancing to the 2018 CONCACAF Women’s Championship in which the young baller at the time Jody Brown ,16, netted 4 goals making her the teams top goal scorer at the tournament and winner of the ‘Best Young Player’ award. Brown’s individual performance does more than shed light on the importance of investing in young potential as in she alongside her teammates publicly produced a letter of their ‘utmost disappointment’ towards the JFF in June 2023 in which they stated ‘we hope there will be immediate and systemic change within our federation and those in charge of protecting the integrity of women’s football’. Their disappointment is a consensus shared by many black , female footballers especially those from inner city boroughs.
We sat down with three academy players who are also members of Effort Over Environment (a London based organisation developed to showcase, champion and elevate minority and inner city girls who aspire to have a career within the football industry) to discuss how the representation and resilience of the Reggae Girlz has influenced their depiction of the women’s game as well as their visions for their future playing careers.
janUARY 2023
EOE: You’ve been a part of the Effort Over Environment Foundation since its launch. How do you feel Effort Over Environment reflects the motive of the Reggae Girlz ?
ALYSSIA MUNDLE : I think first and foremost just seeing someone within the foundation who looks like you playing football is so important because at this age a lot of black girls stop playing football because there’s just no one for them to look up to and say, yeah she kept on going. And another thing is EOE are putting young black talent on a pedestal and giving them a platform to showcase their experiences within football , on and off the pitch. Us girls have to have a job outside of playing football whereas boys don’t have that. I think the reflection is that the Reggae Girlz have given themselves a platform to showcase talent and the struggle that not even just Jamaican girls , but African and Carribean girls can say, yeah this could be me , especially from a younger age.
EOE: The both of you have spent many years playing as a duo. Zena, with you currently out of the game due to your ACL injury, and Zahira currently playing for Fulham U18s , what hope does seeing the Swaby sisters give you to play together on an international stage?
ZENA GLANVILLE : It gives a sense of hope and a fair representation of things I can achieve with my sister. For example , from when Zahira and I first started playing football , to now being at different clubs , if feels like I’ve lost a sense of companionship on the pitch because i’m so used to her being there ; however seeing sisters represent their country gives me the hope that one day we can represent the Lionesses or Reggae Girlz one day.
EOE: Alyssia , you’re currently playing in the U21 WSL , while also balancing full time education and a part time job , how do you feel this affects your long term playing aspirations?
ALYSSIA MUNDLE : I find it very hard , and sometimes I get really down about it because I don’t want to feel like I’m giving my all into football and then forgetting about my education because for me education is just as important because we we aren’t going to be getting payed the big sum of money the men are getting. And it really makes you think , because especially at this age it’s so hard to say I want to keep going when you can’t see a light at the end of the tunnel , so it really is a mental battle , you have to drive yourself because no one can do it for you.
EOE: How do you feel the legacy of the Reggae Girlz can be used to shape the future of the women’s game in England ?
ALYSSIA MUNDLE : I think it’s opening everyone’s eyes that there is a lot of talent within England , especially London. You’ve got Vyan Sampson , Drew Spence and Paige Gaile-Bailey all doing their thing in the world cup which shows there is hope for inner city girls like us.
ZAHIRA GLANVILLE : I think the Reggae Girlz motive reflects that underdogs can do well and there is power in unity.