Cavalier’s Nelson hails ‘Bunny’ for success
Former St. Jago High School standout and national Under-15, Under-17 and Under-20 representative Shanhaine Nelson, who currently plies her trade in the Jamaica Women’s Premier League (JWPL) for Cavalier, is crediting Reggae Girl and former high school teammate Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw for the success she’s had so far in her football career.
According to Nelson, playing high school football was an important learning curve, and she outlined that Shaw has been a mentor since high school and taught her the dos and don’ts while on a football pitch.
“It helped a lot as it developed my understanding of the game while playing alongside Khadija Shaw. I learnt a lot as she was like a mentor to me. She would teach me the game and tell me what I should and shouldn’t do, so I would definitely say playing alongside her throughout my high school days really helped my game,” Nelson stated.
Nelson, who has been instrumental for the Everdean Scarlett-coached Cavalier in the ongoing JWPL, is their starting left back but would have had the experience of playing in midfield in her previous Reggae Girlz stints.
Interestingly, Nelson, who has scored a plethora of goals this season, can be seen throughout the 90 minutes of games with her jersey collar inside her mouth. She revealed that the trademark appearance was born during her younger days when she was often smaller than her jersey size, and it eventually became a habit.
“I’ve been doing that since my primary school days. I used to think that because my gears were usually bigger, was the reason why I usually put the jersey inside my mouth, but now, I really don’t know why I still do it. It’s become a bad habit,” she remarked.
Cavalier, who lost 2-1 in the JWPL knockout final, will face either Frazsiers Whip or Olympic Gardens in the final of the JWPL.
Nelson believes this time around, Cavalier will be better prepared for whoever they face.
“I can honestly say that we’re preparing ourselves for the final as we’re excited and ready for the game. We’ve been training really hard and working towards the final, so I believe this one (JWPL title) is for us,” Nelson opines.
orane.Buchanan@gleanerjm.com