Football is my life, says young Reggae Girl Shantel Bailey

SHANTEL Bailey is establishing herself as a female football player of considerable worth.

Confident, easy-going and a lover of the game are some of the phrases used to describe this young Reggae Girl. She faces her biggest challenge tomorrow when her team Arnett Gardens play Barbican in the final of the Women’s Premier League at the Waterhouse stadium beginning at 5:00 pm.

Bailey has used her talent in the national set-up since the Under-15 level, and at 19 years old, she remains the youngest member of the senior team which recently failed in its bid to qualify for the Women’s World Cup from the CONCACAF region.

“It was a great experience being the youngest player on the team,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

“Since I have been representing the country, I have scored about 19 goals so far. My performances are not always great but I always try my best to play well.

“It’s always a proud feeling to play for my country straight up to senior team. It is even more exciting for me, knowing that I have the support of the community, other players and coaches, so it’s really a great feeling,” she added.

When in her off-season, the former graduate of Charlie Smith High School, who has achieved four CXC subjects, said she uses the opportunity to improve on her dexterity as she is someone who aspires to go professional.

“Whenever I am not playing, I do some work on my own to always stay focussed. Sometimes, I feel overworked, but I just have to understand that I am a player that most people look up to, so I have to perform.

“Football is my life, so definitely I want to become a professional player. But for now I will go back to school and then from there I will see,” she noted.

Having had stints at Waterhouse and Barbican, the versatile player took refuge at Arnett Gardens where she has been playing a key role in assisting them to their first Women’s Premier League final.

The diminutive player who is known for her favoured centre-forward position has applied her prowess in other positions to aid her team’s performance.

“It took a lot of hard work throughout the season for us to come out and be in the final. It’s a great feeling because with me on the team a lot depends on how I perform on the day. Anywhere my team needs me most, that is the position I will play,” she explained.

Following a nail-biting and historic semi-final win over GC Foster College, Bailey and her team are now faced with the huge task of dethroning her former club and many-times champions Barbican FC who boast seven national players.

However, Arnett have already rewritten the script, as they are one of only two teams to hold the formidable Barbican outfit to a draw.

With that result still fresh in their minds, Bailey and her teammates are positive that they can go one step further as they have increased their preparations ahead of tomorrow’s final.

“We are ready for the final…we know we can do it. The ball is round and at the end of the day it is who wants it more that will come out on top.

“Once we stay focussed and play to our game plan we will come out victorious. The Junglists are fighters, we never give up and we will be coming to play hard. The plan is to go in the game and play according to how we know the game; as long as Arnett win the middle we will win the game,” she said with assurance.

“When we attend training we put in the work which we then apply in the games. The coaches believe in us, they always tell us that we can do it and with the support and love that they show us, we in turn show it on the field. So we have to give them this title to show our appreciation,” she said.