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Spotlight: International Support Group
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n 2017, the GFF relaunched the senior women's national team programme. A critical element of the relaunch was the establishment of the International Support Group (ISG), based in North America, that serves as the interface between the GFF and the international coaching staff and players. Co m p o s e d o f e m i n e n t l y qualified persons, the ISG plays a crucial role in the identification and selection of international players for the Lady Jags, as well as coordinating team camps and preparations. It is a volunteer organisation which finances its activities through fundraising, donations and merchandise sales The ISG donates funds to support training sessions and ID camps, to purchase and donate training gear and equipment to members of the Lady Jags player pool. 100 percent of funds raised are spent on the women's national team, with 70 percent allocated to program support and 30 percent going to the ISG Scholarship Fund. ISG leadership team President-Rebecca Vaughan Vice President-Paul Beresford Secretary-Stephen Budhu Treasurer-Gavin Fredericks
Q&A with International Support Group President Rebecca Vaughan What is the purpose of the ISG? The purpose of the International Support Group is to manage the business of the Lady Jags in collaboration with the Guyana Football Federation What are your goals for the ISG as its President? Our primary goal is to build a sustainable women's programme that guarantees the next generation of female players to have a platform to represent ._lllliiiiiiiii Guyana on the international stage. We have a few short-term and long-term goals, which we are hoping to accomplish within the next year or so, we are optimistically confident. Since the relaunch of the women's programme, there have been concerns brought to our attention by the senior women's national team. We will continue to work with the GFF to address these concerns and make sure that our women's team are p r o v i d e d w i t h all t h e necessary resources available to run smoothly. YOUNG FEMALE FOOTBALLERS SHOW HIGHER These women represent our LEVELS OF CONFIDENCE, SELF-ESTEEM, beloved country on the WELL-BEING, AND MOTIVATION THAN GIRLS WHO international stage so, PLAY NO SPORT. IT ALSO HAS AN INCREDIBLY therefore, we will be judged POSITIVE EFFECT ON THEIR EDUCATION. by their presentation. Our long-term goals may be a bit more difficult to achieve, but we think if w_e work with the diaspora, we could be successful. We have set up a scholarship fund for Guyana-based players to embark on their post-secondary education, but we need the support of the diaspora to make this programme a success. We are deeply passionate about education and a healthy lifestyle. We would like to effectively collaborate with the Ministry of Education to reintroduce
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Spotlight... sports into the primary and secondary school curriculum. We believe student athletes are more likely to become tenacious, strong independent women (and men). It would indeed be a great accomplishment to see football in the curriculum in primary and secondary schools in Guyana. What have b een your proudest moments with the ISG? My daughter, Sara Vaughan, at the age of sixteen represented Guyana on the U17 national team. She has also represented Guyana on the U20 and senior teams. This has resulted in her getting a full scholarship to Howard University to pursue her educational studies. At Howard University, she captained the Division 1 football team for two years and graduated with a Biochemistry degree. I am immensely proud to say that Sara is now a 3rd year medical student at the University of Toronto. Having experienced Sara's accomplishments, I would like to impart that knowledge to the young girls in Guyana so that they could have an educational background when their football career is over. The proudest moments for me personally have been the journey from being a mom of a young football female player to being involved in an organization where I have ascended to the Presidency and am now able to help young girls achieve their dreams of playing football and representing their country and at the same time acquiring an education. Why is it important for the diaspora to support the women's programme?
When the diaspora is informed and involved with a country's economic challenges, they are more incline to contribute to the programme. Their financial contributions could be extremely important in changing the trajectory of young women's lives. These changes will result in a positive impact, thus reducing teenage pregnancies, suicides and other socio-economic challenges young women face in Guyana today. What are the unique challenges faced by the women's national team? There are lots of challenges faced
LADY JAGS IN NUMBERS PLAYER POOL Total player pool: Guyana-based: Canada-based: US-based: Europe-based: Asia-based:
126 33 66 20 6 1
PLAYER STATUS 1 Professional: Semi-pro: 5 Students (college/secondary): 89 31 Working/amateur:
LADY JAGS STAFF Guyana-based: Canada-based: US-based: Europe-based:
4 1O 5 2
by female football players. In most countries, there are not a lot of leagues available, and compensation is not equitable. Lack of funding plays a significant role in the accessibility to the sport for young women around the world. FIFA and Concacaf have recognized this challenge and have announced more competition opportunities for women in years 2021, 2022 and 2024. Another challenge but this seems to be getting better with more visibility and role models is how football is perceived by society. In some cultures, it is tabooed to play female football, while in others it is not. Society sees it as a male game and young girls are made to feel uncomfortable if they do take part. In a FIFA study the question asked was "How is women's football perceived today around the world?" 36% of the participants saw football as a great platform for international participation, while 31% see it as a hard-fought sport, which is not suitable for women. Only 13% saw it as quality. What would be your message to inspire and motivate young female footballers in Guyana? Studies have shown that young female footballers show higher levels of confidence, self-esteem, well being, and motivation than girls who play no sport. It also has an incredibly positive effect on their education. If you want teenage girls to feel more confident, get them playing football. So, to our young girls in Guyana, I leave this quote from Alex Morgan: "Always work hand, never give up and fight until the end because it's never over until the whistle blows."
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