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Nicole Nicely, naturally talented athlete

Published:Monday | March 7, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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Nicole Nicely (left) accepting her award from Tanya Allgrove, assistant vice-president, corporate credit, at Pan Caribbean. - Contributed photos
Nicole giving the famous Usain Bolt pose after her race on Sunday, February 20. The Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency employee was second among the female runners in the annual Pan Caribbean Sigma Corporate Run. Her achievement was a boost to the agency as it was participating in the event for the first time.
Nicole Nicely beaming with pride as she poses with her trophy at the Pan Caribbean building on Knutsford Boulevard. - Contributed photos
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Nashauna Drummond, Lifestyle Coordinator

Without knowing it, Nicole Nicely was the second woman to cross the finish line at the Sigma Corporate Run on February 20. "I trained three consecutive Saturdays, and when I say train I mean run a few laps for about 20 minutes. Though I had never run a marathon before and the training wasn't up to 'speed', I wasn't planning to win. I just wanted to score some points for my house," she told Flair.

A customer-service representative at Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), Nicely is in Blue Star (company house). One of the ways they could earn points for PICA's upcoming sports day on March 26 was to compete in the Sigma 5k.

After clocking 27 minutes 54 seconds, Nicely left the venue not knowing how high she had placed in her first marathon.

Football Career

But her performance should not be a surprise. As she told Flair, "I have never done any marathons before, but playing a football match is a marathon in itself," and she should know. Nicely was the first female to play in the Pepsi under-13 in 1994. "Wow! It was thrilling to know that I was one of the two girls on the Trench Town High School football team. I remember when I first touched the playfield ... a lot of crazy excitement from the crowd ... it was amazing," she recalled. Playing football came naturally for Nicely, who grew up with five brothers. "I was a tomboy.

I have five brothers and they always enjoy playing sports in their spare time, and so it was fun joining them. Even at that young age I started playing football with my peers and realised that I had a natural talent to play the game well. Realising that my family and friends encouraged me and urged me to continue, that helped me to take a deeper interest in the game."

And that interest continues today. Nicely's current club, Barbican Football Club, is the defending champion in the Premier League and Knock-Out Competitions.

"I think the thing that most captivates me about the game is the feeling that you get when your hard work has paid off with a victory for the team. I like to hear the fans scream my name, and the spectacular atmosphere that usually follows a football game. Knowing that a team is depending on me to do a good job also gives me a sense of excitement." Nicely is not limited to football and also does track and field, and netball.

This mother of two only sees one of her two children following in her footsteps. "My 12-year-old daughter is very different from me. She shows no love for football or any other sport; she is more into fashion. Probably the closest she comes to sports is cheerleading. My nine-year-old son, however, wants to follow in my footsteps. He likes sports and says he wants to get trophies and medals like I do."

As it relates to marathons there might be more in her life. "Anything is possible. I enjoyed myself and did well in the Sigma marathon, so maybe I'll participate in others in the future. Football is my first love, though; that's where my heart is."

Her heart is also with her favourite teams Arnett Gardens and Manchester United.