Shaw humbled, JFF proud after Concacaf Player-of-the-Year nod
Published:Sunday | May 7, 2023 | 1:48 AMDaniel Wheeler - Staff Reporter
WITH GRATITUDE to the teammates that got her this far, national striker Khadija Shaw said she hoped her groundbreaking Concacaf Women’s Player-of-the- Year award will inspire others to keep on the journey towards success.
Shaw captured her first award at Friday’s Concacaf Awards after a season where she helped the Reggae Girlz to qualify for their second consecutive Women’s World Cup as well as played a role in Manchester City’s League Cup triumph. Canada’s Alphonso Davies won the Concacaf Men’s Player-of-the-Year award for the second consecutive year.
Shaw, who was a finalist in 2018, became the first player from the Caribbean to win the award, an honour she dedicated to her teammates.
“It is an unbelievable feeling to be named Concacaf Women’s Player of the Year. But I could not have done it without my teammates because they have played a massive part in this. I wish everyone could have this,” Shaw told the Manchester City Club website.
Last June, Shaw scored three goals in the Concacaf Women’s Championship and was named to the team of the tournament. Domestically, she scored 26 goals in all competitions in 2022, helping City to the Continental Cup that year.
Of those 26 goals in 2022, she scored 15 in 19 league matches.
GOLDEN BOOT RACE
This season she is currently leading the golden boot race with 18 goals and Manchester City are now in second place in the table with 44 points, three points behind leaders Manchester United.
Shaw said she hoped that others would be motivated to stay the course in their own journey with continued hard work and belief.
“The message I have to anybody who has a dream like I did is to keep believing and enjoy the process and journey,” Shaw said.
“The journey is ultimately what is going to get you to your destination, so just work hard every day, knowing where you want to get to and no matter what obstacles come your way, you need to keep believing in yourself and doing your best.”
Jamaica Football Federation president Michael Ricketts congratulated Shaw on the honour, recognising her trailblazing efforts for the women’s game in Jamaica.
“In winning this award, Khadija has enhanced brand Jamaica, but even more so, has offered immense hope to countless young Jamaican female footballers,” Ricketts said in a statement released yesterday.
“From playing in the streets of Spanish Town to St Jago High School, to club, to the national team, to college and the professional ranks, she has not only paved the football pathway but has shown the qualities that breed success.”