By Nodley Wright, Staff ReporterSOME MEMBERS of the national women's football team are upset by unequal treatment meted out to them in comparison to their male counterparts.
The women, who are preparing for a World Cup qualifier against Puerto Rico on July 13, say, unlike their male counterparts who are salaried when they are involved in a World Cup campaign, they are not given a stipend.
"Imagine we are representing our country and even when we are in training we do not get as much as pocket money," said one of the players.
Another added: "Some of us have children too, other responsibilities and necessities to take care of. The way we are treated is as if we are not regarded."
Under former technical director Rene Simoes, the man who guided the national men's team to a historic qualification for the 1998 World Cup in France, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) instituted a system where the players were paid. At one point the package for Jamaica-based player ranged from a high of $100,000 to a low of $40,000 and included a mid-range of $60,000.
Those figures were trimmed in leaner times.
In late May this year, JFF president Captain Horace Burrell indicated a similar programme would be put in place for the 2006 campaign.
"It is very important to note that we will be returning to the format that we used under the tenure of Rene Simoes," Burrell, who was in Korea on World Cup duty, said.
"I have advised technical director designate Carl Brown that we are going to start the initiative. I have also instructed him to put together a local squad which will train on a permanent basis as we did in 1998 campaign.
"They will be given a weekly allowance by the federation and will not be allowed to work other than to train," Burrell added.
This initiative, according to sources, is set to begin later this month.
While the locally-based male members of the national team can count on a retainer at the end of the month, the Reggae Girlz see no such thing in their near future.
"It is as if we are not regarded," said one of the girls who pointed out that they were almost embarrassed last Sunday when they were supposed to pay to enter a charity game at Monymusk but had no money to do so.
Burrell who recently returned from Japan disagreed with the position put forward by the women. He said the entire football programme had been affected since the drastic cut in the government's subvention earlier this year.
"Unless this (subvention) is reinstated somewhat then it will be difficult. It has been difficult especially at a time with the National Stadium being out of commission.
"We have tried under this situation and have done well so far but with the numerous national teams it will be difficult to sustain and if there is not a change, probably the contracts of some staff members will have to be terminated," he said.
As to the women themselves, he said: "We will try to pay them a per diem and will take care of their expenses. We are committed to providing for them when they travel."
A squad of 24 females is in camp for the Puerto Rico game. The players are: Michelle Depass, Kesia Smith (Bridgeport); Alecia James, Sharika Evans, Philisha Lewis, Kim Dunn (St. Jago High); Nickeshia Drummond, Kerise Heywood (Harbour View); Kaena-Shae Thomas, Chevanese Clarke (Queens); Hishamar Falconer (Tivoli Gardens); Kimberly Petgrave, Suzette Murray, Bernadette Murray (Untouchables); Denise Duncan (Portmore Strikers); Jacqueline Brown (UTech); Diana Hue (G.C. Foster); Tamara Honeywell, Taneisha Francis, Geneiva Sinclair (Barbican FC); Sanya Lewis (AC Milan); Jodi-Ann McGregor (St James High); Nicole Berwise (US-based) and Nordia Reid (Olympic Gardens).
