‘It’s about time’

A YEAR after her death, former Reggae Girlz general manager, Jean Nelson, is being recognised at the National Honours and Awards Ceremony on October 17 with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer for her contributions to the Jamaica national women’s football teams.

The football community, while overjoyed at the announcement of the award, believes such was Nelson’s contribution, it could have come while she was alive. According to that community, Nelson’s impact is more far-reaching than just the national programme.

“Jean spent a number of years around football. It would be very fair to say that she is one of the pioneers for Jamaica’s women’s programme. She served in many capacities, she was by and large the general manager for the entire programme, but in the latter years, she concentrated more so on the women’s team. She was very much an all-rounder, using a cricketing term. So Jean would have left an indelible mark on not just women’s football, but it would be fair to say just football generally, and certainly she is very deserving of what has been bestowed on her posthumously,” said Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Michael Ricketts.

“We are even now missing her, especially in these times when women’s football is doing so very well. She really was a stalwart in the whole process of bringing women’s football to where it is right now,” Ricketts added.

Nelson served as Reggae Girlz general manager in 2019 when they became the first Caribbean women’s team to make it to the World Cup.

However, she was in the sport long before that, as she was Jamaica’s first president of the Women’s Football Association and served in that position from 1989 to 1990.

Elaine Walker-Brown, who took over that position in 1991 and has been president since, said Nelson’s commitment to the development of football, and women’s football in particular, made her more than a deserving recipient.

“I took over from her in 1991. She returned to football in 2012 and she served the sport up to her passing (in 2021), as the national senior women’s manager, after her appointment in 2014, and from 2012 right through, she worked with the under-15, under-13 and under-20 male youth teams as manager,” Walker-Brown said.

“She is deserving of it because she gave of herself (and) gave service to her country. They are giving her now when she is dead, a lot of people should be recognised. She has gone through a lot with some of the men who come around football and don’t appreciate where we are coming from but they want to come inherit,” said Walker-Brown with a touch of annoyance.

But more than an award, Nelson is well known for having a special place in the lives of numerous players.

Former Reggae Girl and recently appointed head coach of the national under-15 girls’ team, Tashana Vincent, said from the experience she has had, Nelson is very deserving of any national award, but that more women in football should be recognised for their contribution to the sport.

“Miss Nelson returned to the programme in the latter stages of my career, she was more of a mother figure to the entire team and the prayer warrior whenever we needed spiritual guidance, she was one of the first individuals that any player would go to,” Vincent said.

“She is deserving of the OD status and I must commend the Government for taking the initiative of awarding her for her years of service that she has given to the programme. My reason for saying that is, for too long, we are seeing females who have impacted the lives of so many get overlooked.”

Reggae Girl Tiffany Cameron, who was recently named player of the year by the Hungarian Football Federation for the 2021-22 season, said Nelson’s presence has been missed and it will become even more obvious as the Girlz go on to their second consecutive World Cup.

“Jean was like a mother to the team and always wanted the best for us. She was always so kind to me and showed me love and respect. Her name will forever bring a smile to my face and she deserves every bit of recognition,” Cameron said.