Though you may not have seen them play in any of the final stages, the Jamaican Women's Soccer team achieved many feats at this years Women's World Cup. As the first Caribbean nation to play at the tournament, their participation was seen as an exciting step for women's soccer in the both the country, and the Caribbean at large.
Yet, a campaign launched by the players in the team entitled 'No Pay, No Play' this September showed that there were issues behind the scenes. This campaign exposed that none of the players had been paid any of the wages that they had been contractually promised by the Jamaican Football Federation since January. This contract stated that players would be paid on the 14th of each month from January until August 30th.
Right before the contract expired on August 30th, the Federation announced it would pay its players 50% of the money owed. Players were angered by this announcement, saying it was not enough to stop them boycotting. Although players received the majority of the $50-per-day stipends during the World Cup, these payments were for daily expenditures whilst in France at the tournament. The salaries that the girls have not be paid were supposed to support them as professionals, allowing them to train instead of working to support themselves financially. The team are still campaigning to receive full pay.
We caught up with two of the Jamaican Women's Team, Kayla McCoy and Nicole McClure, to talk about the boycott, their lives as female soccer players, and their hopes for change in the near future for women's soccer players globally.
Needless to say I was blown away by the tenacity and fortitude with which both Kayla and Nicole showed when talking on this subject. We're excited to see them progress in their careers, and continue to represent their country on the world stage AND being paid for it.
Could you both tell me about your history playing soccer – what lead you to the sport, and who were your mentors/idols growing up?
Nicole: I received a flyer in school from Auburndale Soccer Club in Queens, NY promoting the fall season. I was 8 years old and in the 4th grade. I showed the flyer to my mom and begged her to sign me up. My brother had played for the same club the previous year, but my mom felt I was too young to join at the time. So when I asked if I could play too, she said "next year." Little did she know I would remember that response and a year later, she had no choice but to sign me up!
I chose soccer because I was naturally good at it and I thoroughly enjoyed playing. I remember being excited all day at school because I knew I was heading to practice later. I loved the feeling of the ball at my feet; the euphoria of denying a player a goal from making a big save. Soccer is a game of passion and I love it.
Growing up, my mentors and idols were my cousin and brother. They taught me how to be tough, not only physically, but mentally, too. I get my competitive edge from them while playing several sports in my parents' backyard. As far as soccer players, I looked up to Briana Scurry and Oliver Kahn. I love their style of play and how they carried themselves on and off the field. Briana Scurry gave me hope and inspiration. She is the only female player of colour I recall watching as a kid.
Kayla: I have three older siblings who all played soccer growing up, so the moment I could walk I was already kicking the ball around the soccer field. I played a lot of other sports when I was young, but I loved playing soccer the most, and I was pretty good at it too! It was in high school that I finally decided to put all my energy and effort towards playing soccer. I always admired the US Women’s National Team and enjoyed watching them play. I would watch the documentaries and hear stories about the famous ‘99ers who won the World Cup and started the wave of women’s soccer in the US, and I distinctly remember watching Abby Wambach score the game tying goal against the Brazilians in the 121stminute of the World Cup quarterfinals in 2011 which sparked in me a passion and excitement for the game and where it could take me. Tell me about your background/experiences with the Jamaican team? Why did you want to play for Jamaica, and what’s it like being on a team?
Nicole: Growing up, my parents raised my brother and I with a heavy sense of national pride, so playing the sport I love while representing my country only seemed natural. In 2008, I received a phone call from one of my parents' friends who knew the Under-20 coaches at the time. He asked if I would be interested in playing in the World Cup Qualifiers held in Mexico that summer. I eagerly accepted.
The dynamics have changed over the years, but overall, it has been a unique and fun experience playing for Jamaica and I am incredibly proud to have worn the black, green and gold on the pitch with my countrywomen.
Kayla: Growing up in the US, I had played for US youth teams throughout high school and college. It wasn’t until my senior year of college I was asked if I was interested in representing Jamaica. I jumped at the opportunity, and in January of 2019, I attended my first full team camp. My dad’s side of the family is Jamaican, and I had spent a lot of time there growing up so it so special to have the opportunity to represent the country of Jamaica as well as my family on the field. That first camp eventually led to making the World Cup Team just five months later. Representing Jamaica has given me opportunities that I never thought I would have and has taken me places that I never thought I would be able to go!
How was it growing up being a keen soccer player? Were there any moments you felt a tension between being a woman and a pro athlete?
Nicole: I've been told that girls should not play soccer - that it's a man's sport, etc. But I let those words fuel me to play even harder and to prove that girls play, too, and just as well as our male counterparts. Negative talk only motivates me to be the best I can be.
Kayla: It is not uncommon to hear people compare men’s and women’s soccer and criticise women’s soccer for being slow or describe the players as being less talented than men. But history has proven that people will come and watch the women play and given the proper platform and value, the sport has grown immensely over the years which is exciting to see!
Given your years of hard work, what was it like learning about the gender pay gap that exists in your sport?
Nicole: It's disappointing to learn of the tremendous wage gap between male and female players. I think if the powers that be recognise this issue and deem it worthy of taking action, then and only then will we see changes.
Kayla: Obviously it is difficult to swallow the large pay gap that exists between male and female players given the time, effort, and sacrifice every single professional athlete dedicates to their sport, both men and women. It’s most definitely a conversation that arises a lot between athletes, both male and female, as well as the fan bases that support both sides. But it has been encouraging to see growth in that area and to see women getting paid more over the years for what they do. There is still a lot of work to be done and more support to be raised for the sport and the cause, but it's moving in the right direction.
Were there conversations between yourself and other teams at the world cup about the gender imbalance?
Nicole: Yes we've been approached with this issue during the World Cup. Other nations have been going through the same or similar situation. For example, the US team faced their pay gap issue head on and won the legal battle with their Federation. It's inspiring to know that justice can prevail.
Kayla: Throughout the World Cup, there were numerous stories of teams fighting for fair pay. Just before the World Cup, the US team was given a donation by LUNA Bar to close the pay gap between the US men’s team and the woman’s team for their participation in the tournament. Also before the World Cup, South Africa announced that they will be paying their men’s and women’s players an equal salary after the South Africa women qualified for the tournament for the first time. So, as the Jamaica women fight for fair payment, we know that there are other women from other teams in other countries who are fighting the same battle and it’s encouraging to see those results.
What changes would you guys like to see in the future, and what’s next for you both?
Nicole: I'd love to see the momentum continue. This year's Women's World Cup garnered an incredible amount of global attention. I would like to see our efforts as players rewarded. I want to see more live games played in crowded stadiums and broadcast live on major networks. I want to see and hear better coverage of upcoming games. I want to see players getting the respect they deserve financially. We can earn a living playing this beautiful game. Clubs need to do what is fair and compensate us accordingly.
I've just recently finished my season in Ireland. At the moment, I'm preparing for the next opportunity to play overseas. My ambition is to play in England's top league.
Kayla: I second what Nicole says about riding the wave of the Women’s World Cup! After the US team won this past World Cup, the stands in the US stadiums where the US professional women’s (NWSL) teams play filled up with record crowds! So much so that some teams needed to relocate to make room for the growing fan base. Just this season, the NWSL signed with ESPN to begin broadcasting games on the most popular sports channel in the US. It’s exciting to see this growth and I hope that the support and popularity of the sport continues to expand!
I am currently finishing up my first season of professional soccer in the US, and I plan to stay in the US for another season this next year! Jamaica is looking to qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympics, so I hope to be able to put on the jersey and represent them again this upcoming year!
Keep a watch out for the girls when they compete in the upcoming 2020 Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament CONCACAF in Texas next January!
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