The Reggae Girlz have united to express their disappointment in the support and resources provided by the Jamaica Football Federation, with less than a month to go until the start of the Women’s World Cup.

In an open letter posted by multiple players on social media – including stars Khadija Shaw and Drew Spence – the Reggae Girlz shared their concerns going into this summer’s tournament, explaining how the JFF has not provided the team with the level of support and preparation required for them to succeed at the highest level.

The team simply asks for the bare minimum, stating that they have sat with the federation on multiple occasions to discuss their concerns stemming from “subpar planning, transportation, accommodations, training conditions, compensation, communication, nutrition, and accessibility to proper resources.”

The letter also mentions missed friendlies due to poor planning and disorganisation on the part of the federation, as well as players not receiving the agreed upon compensation when camps are organised: “To be left questioning whether a camp will even take place three days before the expected start is unprofessional and often unfairly prohibitive for some of our players.”

Chicago Red Stars’ Cheyna Matthews replied to a supportive message on Twitter, linking the GoFundMe that a teammate’s mother had set up to assist in funding the Reggae Girlz’ World Cup campaign.

The Reggae Girlz consist of professional and collegiate athletes that play for some of the best teams in the world. They have made history, qualifying for their first World Cup four years ago, and again this year. For a team that boasts such talent to resort to crowdfunding because their own federation will not provide the necessary support is a poor reflection on the state of women’s football.

Though women’s football has been receiving the attention and support it deserves in recent years, change is still desperately needed to end the gender inequality that has resulted in the way the Reggae Girlz, and other clubs and national teams throughout history, have been disregarded.

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