Elaine Walker-Brown ... at the forefront of women's football in Jamaica. - PHOTO BY PAUL-ANDRE WALKER
ELAINE WALKER-BROWN has been a part of football in Jamaica for as long as many can remember.
Beginning in the 1980s as a player, she grew to love a sport that was thought of as strictly for men. Jamaicans hadn't caught on to the idea that women could play the game at a high level as well, but the woman, who is now the president of the Jamaica Football Federation's (JFF) Women's League, set out to make sure that women became recognised for their efforts in being seen as equals in a sport they love just as much as any man.
The Gleaner caught up with the woman who took over the reins of women's football in Jamaica in 1989 and has seen it through to the stage where it has begun to not only attract attention, but the money that is necessary to get sport moving forward.
Q: Why did you choose to participate actively in football?
EW-B: I fell in love with football as a means of passing time. I had a friend who was a member of the Black Lions Football Club and she would ask me to follow her and I was living in Maverley and by going around with Black Lions I acquired the love for it. If filled my days because football took up a lot of my time.
Q: How did you become a part of the administration of football?
EW-B: In 1989 the then president of the Women's Football Association, Miss G. Nelson didn't plan on staying in her position as president. The great Bob West said I was the best person for the job at a time when there weren't many women in administration and from there I never turned back.
Q: Why did you, after being an administrator, decide to become a referee to boot?
EW-B: I've been in refereeing now for seven years. It is very rewarding in a number of ways. For instance it's certainly healthy and I get a thrill from being close to the game I love. Getting involved with refereeing just had to do with the love I had for the sport. I used to be a player and then I went into administration but I needed to be close to the game again so I decided to get into refereeing.
Q: To what would you attribute your successes thus far?
EW-B: All the successes that I have had come from my love for the sport. However, my husband is the big reason behind my success. I couldn't have achieved any of it without his input.
Q: Have there been any real improvements in women's football?
EW-B: The interest in women's football has grown tremendously but there is a lot more growth to be had.
However, financial difficulties hamper us. I must give thanks to Sherwin William and Captain's Bakery, sponsors of the schoolgirls competition. They have been very helpful.
Q: What is it that keeps you going in a situation where more often than not there are no monetary rewards.
EW-B: Lately, there are more sponsors coming up and that is something good for football. I am very happy with where women's football is right now. I can tell you that right now there are five girls who are getting scholarships to go to universities abroad. There are many opportunities opening up for the young females, it's another means of social upliftment for women in this country and that is my reward, I don't have to benefit monetarily.
- Paul-Andre Walker
