Applications now invited for Reggae Girlz scholarships

High school and college students have been invited to apply for three Reggae Girlz scholarships, with the window closing at midnight on June 5.

President of the Reggae Girlz Foundation, Michelle Adamolekun, said two of the three scholarships will honour two former players who have died. The first is Tarania ‘Plum Plum’ Clarke, who died tragically on October 31 when she was stabbed in Half-Way Tree, Kingston, during a dispute over a mobile phone.

The second honouree is Jean Nelson, who died September 11 last year. Nelson was a former footballer and national senior women’s football team manager. She was also one of the persons responsible for the formation of the national women’s league in the 1990s.

Adamolekun said Nelson was a role model and an avid advocate for the women’s programme and players.

In addition to the scholarships, she said the foundation will be providing emergency support to student athletes as the need arises during the year.

“Most recently, we helped to pay the costs for former under-15, under-17 and under-20 Reggae Girl and recent Jacksonville University graduate, Rachel Walters, to apply for her Optional Practical Training, which provides her with the authorisation to work in the United States after graduating from college,”Adamolekun said.

The Reggae Girlz Foundation was officially launched in late 2018 and has been instrumental in helping to subsidise expenses for the women’s programme. The expenses include those for camps, hotel, transportation, meals/hydration needs, needed software, equipment, and now scholarships.

Among the sponsors that have come on board in making the scholarships possible are Golden Krust of Atlanta, Zuree Dolls and Armwaves.

The total value of the scholarships is US$4,000, or approximate;y J$625,000.

Looking ahead, Adamolekun said the ultimate goal is to increase the value and number of scholarships each year.