Young female coach eyes big football dream

Malawi Palmer, coach of the Holland United Under-18 football team, said the sport has always been a part of her as she continues to make a name for herself in coaching.

Palmer moved from Boca Stars United after six years to lead Holland to its third straight title in her first year in charge.

Palmer, who fell in love with football while playing for her alma mater Holland High School, said since hanging up her boots in 2014, her dream has always been coaching.

“After high school, my mom got me involved in the Trelawny women’s football team. After the first season playing with them, the coach (Casman Williams) had me stick around to help form back his old team (Boca Stars United). So, from there on, I have been involved in football in the parish,” she said.

Palmer shared how she got involved in coaching.

“Sometimes when I went to training, I would sit in the stands, watch and analyse how the coach carried out his sessions. It started when he was late for training and would ask me to start the warm-up until he got there.”

“From there, Linnel McLean (former Trelawny FA president) and Marlene Brown (current president of the FA) approached me to do a female coaching course back in about 2016 in Kingston. After I did the course, immediately when I came back, I got put in charge of the female team,” she added.

Palmer said she did a second course in Kingston and is looking to the future.

“I’m waiting to get the Level One (certification) so I can start doing more coaching at a higher level – maybe a high school for daCosta Cup or something like that,” she said. – K.A.