Former Jamaican footballer goes for goals

The notion that after every professional career, an athlete runs off to retirement was shattered when Ryan Thompson entered the field. The former Reggae Boyz player recently kick-started his coaching career as head coach for Austin Bold Football Club with hopes of teaching and imparting knowledge and wisdom to future footballers in pursuit of goals.

Affectionately called ‘Godda’, Thompson’s earliest memory of sports-related activities included track and field and cricket. Football, he confessed, came at a much later stage as a teenager. Starting out in the outfield, he soon became a goalkeeper. That journey, playing catch-up with other experienced footballers on the field was no easy feat. “I started when I was 14, and it was very tough trying to embark on a new journey where people were ahead of me in the beginning phases,” he told The Sunday Gleaner. But through hard work and perseverance, he honed his craft and was known for being the first one on the field and the last one off.

He tried out for the Harbour Football Club Under-14 team and made the team, but even he could admit that he wasn’t good enough. So after training with them, he fought for his rightful spot, putting in the work every day while being humble and hungry at the same time. He appreciated the patience of the coaches, sharing that it was a defining moment for his career.

“Being a youth player was exciting. I had to prove to my peers. When I started to get better, I went from being a nobody to becoming the cool person in school. I really enjoyed that process. I fell in love with growth and becoming better,” he said, recalling his time at Camperdown High School.

The thought of becoming a professional athlete never crossed his mind until he started attending Ardenne High School. That’s when he discovered that he not only had to grow on the field but in the classroom as well. “I looked around in my environment and realised that there were a lot of children placing emphasis on school as well as sport. There was a happy balance there. That’s why I truly loved Ardenne more than anything else. I’m grateful,” he said. While enrolled in that institution, the opportunity came up for Thompson to represent his country at the national level, playing in his first youth camp at 18.

He went on to play professionally for the Reggae Boyz in 2004, where he fiercely defended his goals. “I wish I played more games,” he confessed, explaining that the gap in his national career was attributed to him attending the University of Tampa to pursue his degree. Then he went to Europe to play in the Union of European Football Associations’ Champions League (the first Jamaican to do so) and Europa Cup.

He would become a player and coach and officially retire from football 16 years later in 2017. With his new position, Thompson makes history as the first Jamaican permanent head coach for a United States League Championship franchise.

He declared that being the head coach is testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport over the years. “It’s not often you see a black head coach in the world leading a team. I am one of them, and I’m grateful for that,” he said. He added: “I’m not taking it for granted, It’s a privilege, not a right. It’s my job to put my best foot forward and pave the way for other coaches and people like me who don’t have opportunities readily available.”

He loves the unique culture of the team, which boasts players from all over the world. “I have a genuine relationship with every player, and they know that I care about them. It’s very positive, and you can see it in the way they care.” Despite all odds, the team continues to fight.

Thompson, who has had multiple coaching jobs as a head coach, running his goalkeeping academy, and working at a local school, is passionate about football and education, but for him, family is everything. “It hurts my heart being away from my wife and two daughters. But they’re always here for me. It’s important to have a solid foundation who understands my journey and supports me no matter what. That’s what my family gives me: the hope and drive to keep going,” he said.

From day one, he was always encouraged and motivated by his loved ones. But to see the wider public, former players from the national team, former professional players he has encountered showing their love and support is unreal.

Thompson hopes that in his new role, he can teach the fundamentals on and off the field. “As a head coach, I just want to impact lives and put a smile on every player’s face. I went to two schools, and they pretty much said the same thing. For Camperdown, it was said, ‘Only your best is good enough’. And for Ardenne, ‘With God as guide, we seek the best’, so I want my athletes to know that if they work towards being their best, growing and developing their skills, then the rest is what God or the universe gives,” he revealed. His main focus is to shape leaders who will go on to positively impact and develop future generations.

For aspiring pro athletes, Thompson advises that they take a patient, respectful, humble, honest, hungry, grateful, and happy approach to football, “Slow and steady wins the race. If you have a goal, be patient and be willing to go the extra mile. Put in the work. Learn from your failures and move forward. Be hungry for growth, even if it takes sacrifice, without losing your core values,” he said.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com