SVL keeps the Girlz online

Jamaica's Under-20 women's football team, the Reggae Girlz, received two desktop computers and a printer courtesy of sponsors Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) on their arrival in the island yesterday from the CONCACAF second-round World Cup qualifiers in Trinidad and Tobago.

Carlene Edwards, senior corporate communications officer, SVL, handed over the computers to members of the junior Reggae Girlz at a welcome-home reception at the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) office on St Lucia Avenue, New Kingston.

"The JFF had approached us because they were having issues with the girls doing their homework and assignments at their players' house whenever they are in camp, because there was no equipment there for them to use," said Edwards.

Delighted

She said her company had been partnering with the JFF with cash sponsorship towards their men's programmes and they were delighted to assist with the women's programme at this time.

"We want to make sure that these girls have their assignments done on time because we are big on youth development, and although we are big on sports, we are also big on academics," Edwards said.

Xavier Gilbert, assistant coach of the junior Reggae Girlz, said they were very grateful for the computers.

"I think that this will certainly help these girls because we have a number of fifth-formers who are doing their SBA projects.

"Getting these computers will also help them to focus and be more aware of what is going on around them," said Gilbert.

"We must thank Supreme Ventures for this because it comes at the right time when many of them are doing exams, and for the ones who are not doing exams, these computers will also help the girls to be more rounded and a lot more technologically aware," he said.

The junior Reggae Girlz ended the tournament unbeaten in joint first place with Trinidad and Tobago on seven points.

Both teams, along with Cuba, have advanced to the final round of the qualifiers that will take place in Guatemala in January next year. Other qualifiers for the final round are the hosts, USA, Mexico, Canada and Costa Rica.

-Robert Bailey