Khadija Shaw
Hue Menzies, coach of the historic Reggae Girlz, who became the first team from the Caribbean to qualify for a World Cup, and Minister of Sport Olivia Grange, are in agreement that Guardian Newspaper’s Footballer of the Year, Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, is a great role model.
Shaw led Jamaica’s scoring during their qualification run to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France next year, is bestowed on a player, male or female, who has had a remarkable achievement inclusive of non-footballing ones like overcoming adversity, helping others, or setting the kind of example worthy of a good role model.
In winning the award, Shaw joins the likes of Fabio Piscane and Juan Mata, who had one in the previous two installments of the three-year-old award.
"Most young ladies who live in poor communities that are struggling should look up to Khadija. She is a perfect role model. She has created history for her country, family, and her community. You can't have a better person for those young girls to look up to," said Menzies.
Grange, in responding to Shaw’s award, gave a stamp of approval to Menzies’ comments, pointing out that she has been a wonderful example not just with the national team, but with her club.
"Khadija has been a great role model not just on the football field but also with her league team, the Lady Volunteers, and her national team, the Reggae Girlz. She has demonstrated the ability to rise above personal tragedy by keeping her eye on the ball,” said Grange.
Grange was speaking of Shaw’s personal losses. The star striker lost four brothers to violence in her home community of Spanish Town, but still had the fortitude to follow her dreams and not stray from the path of success.
"It must have been very difficult to have lost four brothers and still find the fortitude to pursue her dreams. It gives me even greater pleasure in congratulating her knowing that she is from Spanish Town. I want young ladies across the country to look at her and the other Reggae Girlz and see what is possible in life," said Grange of the 21-year-old.
According to the minister of sport, the world is beginning to take notice of Jamaica’s women’s football and that has some thing to do with stories like Shaw’s.
Paul-Andre is the Managing Editor at SportsMax.tv. He comes to the role with almost 20 years of experience as journalist. That experience includes all facets of media. He began as a sports Journalist in 2001, quickly moving into radio, where he was an editor before becoming a news editor and then an entertainment editor with one of the biggest media houses in the Caribbean.
Barcelona? If they come, they come – Koeman addresses Camp Nou speculation
Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman dismissed speculation linking him to LaLiga champions Barcelona.
Koeman has emerged as a possible option for Barca should Ernesto Valverde leave, with the Dutchman's Netherlands contract containing a clause that would allow him to depart for Camp Nou following Euro 2020.
The 56-year-old spent six years at Barca as a player before later having a spell as Louis van Gaal's assistant from 1998 to 2000.
Koeman, however, is focused on his job with the Netherlands ahead of next year's European Championship.
"I have two more years left on my contract with the [Dutch] national team and I do not like to talk about Barcelona," Koeman said at an event in Barcelona.
"It's uncomfortable for a lot of reasons; I currently have a job and it's not fair to talk about this.
"If they come, they come; and if they don't, they don't. There are more important things [to worry about] in life."
The Netherlands are in Group C for Euro 2020, alongside Ukraine, Austria and a play-off winner.
Koeman's side will open their campaign at home to Ukraine in Amsterdam on June 14.
Offended Reggae Girlz assistant does not want top job without changes
Assistant coach of Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz, Lorne Donaldson, does not want to step into the vacancy left by the departing Hue Menzies if women’s football in the country is treated the same way it has been.
James Johnson appointed FFA CEO
Football Federation Australia (FFA) confirmed the appointment of James Johnson as its new chief executive officer on Friday.
Johnson, most recently the senior vice-president of external affairs with the City Football Group (CFG), is replacing David Gallop as chief and will begin in the role in January.
He has previously held positions with FIFA – as head of professional football and senior manager member associations – and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) as director of international relations and development.
"Having run a domestic and international executive search, and in a strong field of candidates, we have no doubt James is the right person for the role. We are thrilled that he is coming back to Australia at this important time for the game," FFA chairman Chris Nikou said in a statement.
"Football is in James' soul. He has demonstrated that he is a collaborative leader and team player and brings global and local experience and networks to the FFA. Importantly he also understands the importance of developmental pathways and the grassroots of the code having on the ground experience representing Australia as a member of the 1999 U-17 'Joeys' national team and having risen through the ranks of football in Queensland in the 1990s.
"He is one of the few leaders in the sport who has spent his playing and executive career within the various stakeholder groups associated with football and in this time of change we think that matters.
"James has inarguably made a meaningful contribution to the code globally. A lawyer by training, throughout his executive career, James has been at the centre of many major industry negotiations, managing multi-stakeholder situations and projects including currently representing Manchester City Football Club [MCFC] within the Union of European Football Associations [UEFA] and European Clubs Association [ECA] bodies in the ongoing reforms to the competition format, match calendar, financial distribution model and qualification pathway to the UEFA Champions League.
"In 2016, James received international recognition when Leaders™ listed him as one of its 'Leaders under 40' across all sports. He is also considered as having played a meaningful role in supporting the global leagues to form the World Leagues Forum."
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