CEDELLA MARLEY APPOINTED GLOBAL AMBASSADOR FOR JAMAICA WOMEN’S FOOTBALL PROGRAM!

Announces Docu-series covering Reggae Girlz’ World Cup Bid

Kingston, Jamaica—-

During a press conference held yesterday morning at the Jamaica Football Federation, JFF President Capt. Horace Burrell announced that Cedella Marley has been appointed ambassador for the National Women’s Football Program. In his announcement Capt. Burrell spoke of the Reggae Girlz skill and talent and his belief that bringing the internationally known CEO of Tuff Gong International on board will help to garner the support and awareness that the team needs to advance to the finals of the Women’s World Cup in Canada 2015. He noted that he himself was impressed by the enthusiasm and passion Cedella has already started to bring to her new role. The members of the team echoed sentiment with a rousing ovation as she stepped to the podium to address the room.

In accepting the ambassadorship, Marley expressed how great it is to be working with the Reggae Girlz at such an exciting point in their journey. “Football has been a significant part of my own life…first watching my dad and brothers play pick-up games at Hope Road and now as a mom cheering on my own sons from the sidelines…football is the most popular sport on the planet…imagine my pride in knowing that our Jamaica Women’s Team is ranked 4^th in the CONCACAF conference. These girls have the skill and heart to win it – but they need the proper resources.

As ambassador I can be a voice for these girls and call on not only Jamaicans but those who love Jamaican culture all over the world to sponsor and donate the financial resources needed to cover costs of proper training, nutrition, and housing that will develop them to the world class- athletes we know they are.”

Cedella Marley at JFF press conference

Cedella shared a sneak peek of an upcoming reality series starring the team. Produced by Tuff Gong Pictures in conjunction with the Jamaica Football Federation, “Strike Hard”chronicles the Reggae Girlz’ journey to the Women’s World Cup next year. This series, part of multimedia campaign to showcase the team, shows viewers how the women deal with life both on and off the field. The series will premiere on Jamaican television in early summer.

Despite their talent and winning record, the Jamaica Women’s senior program has struggled for years due to lack of funding, even being disbanded for several years. Last summer, the JFF, in a leap of faith, called the team back to training camp even though there was not sufficient money to cover their training.  In order to ensure that all the proceeds from the fundraising efforts are used exclusively for the women’s team, Capt. Burrell also announced the opening of a
special and separate bank account to house those funds. “I want to make it perfectly clear,” said Capt. Burrell, “that all of the monies raised by this initiative will go to support this team.”

In addition to seeking corporate sponsors and staging fundraising events, an online campaign using the fundraising website Go Fund Me has been started for the team. Individual donations can be made at www.gofundme.com/Jamaicawomensfootball.