Jamaica soccer women have endured a continual struggle due to insufficient support both in terms of financing, training opportunities and things like poor nutrition and inferior training equipment. It is hoped that the addition of Marley will shed some light on the sport's uphill battle and result in the money and support that is necessary to properly fund the Reggae Girlz. The goal is to recruit long term supporters that will help the program flourish for decades into the future. If the team is provided with the proper training development and financial support, it will eventually be able to seriously compete with the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Deer has spent years researching how to run a successful program. One of her specific goals is to recruit corporate support so that the Reggae Girlz receive the financial backing that is necessary to achieve long term success. Deer admits that the short term goal is to get the senior level team to the World Cup competition. She thinks that the addition of Marley and her associates will allow the squad to tap into vital resources.
The team's participation in the highly successful U-17 CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers in Montego Bay last year goes to show that the sport is economically viable and there is significant public interest that will only grow in the future.
Specifically, Marley will work with Deer to determine what the Girlz' most pressing needs are in terms of training, nutrition and travel expenses. They'll collaborate to develop a plan of action and implement it to the best of their abilities. They've both agreed that international camps and exhibition matches are two key steppingstones to raising the sport's profile and capturing much needed media attention.
Deer likes to point out that FIFA is pressing for the growth and further development of female football around the globe. She hopes that this massive effort will provide the catalyst that spurs big time investors to lend a helping hand. The recent addition of the senior level Girlz squad is definitely a shot in the arm for women's football. The team had to suspend operations for 4 straight seasons due to poor funding. Now that the senior team is back and Marley is on board with the cause, the profile of women's football will only rise higher from here on out.
