Introduction

When the future of Jamaica’s Women’s National Team at the 2019 World Cup seemed uncertain due to a lack of funding, one mother took matters into her own hands and created a fundraising campaign for the players. Dubbed as the “Mama Reggae Girlz”, her effort to make Jamaica’s dream of participating to the World Cup come true did not go unanswered.

The Obstacles Facing Women’s Football in Jamaica

Women’s football in Jamaica has long struggled to receive the same support as the men’s team, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup preparations were no different. The players were working with outdated equipment, faced uncertainty of their travel and accommodation at the tournament, and at one point, they were even lacking basics such as cleats.

The Mama Reggae Girlz Initiative Steps in

That’s when one of the player’s mother, Marlene Daley, stepped in and began advocating for more funding. She created a fundraising campaign called “Mama Reggae Girlz” to pay for the Women’s team to travel to the World Cup and also to pay for the basics that the players lacked. And, thanks to her rallying cry, the necessary funds to get the team ready for the tournament were finally obtained.

Conclusion

The Reggae Girlz made history in the Summer of 2019 by making it to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France. Thanks to a powerful grassroots fundraising effort led by one mother, Marlene Daley, the necessary funds were obtained in order for the team to have the necessary preparation to compete at an international level.

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