The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) on Friday congratulated the 2022 CONCACAF Women’s Player of the Year, Khadija “Bunny” Shaw.
Shaw was announced as the winner of the award earlier that day, becoming the first Caribbean woman to claim the prize.
The 26-year-old, who had a wonderful year for club Manchester City and country, played a captain’s role in helping the Reggae Girlz to their second-straight World Cup appearance, while also playing a lead role for Manchester City to claim the 2021-22 FA Women’s League Cup. She scored three goals in the knockout stage.
“Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw’s winning the 2022 CONCACAF Women’s Player of the Year testifies that to dream, focus, work extraordinarily hard, and strive to overcome adversities, is a viable path to success,” the statement from the JFF read.
“The country has watched with pride and absolute amazement the rapid growth of the captain of Jamaica’s National Senior Women’s team, especially since going professional in 2019. To top this prestigious awards list that included accomplished players from the USA and Canada, among others, is a historic achievement for Jamaica. She becomes the first-ever awardee from outside of the United States.
“The Jamaica Football Federation wholeheartedly congratulates Khadija, Jamaica’s leading goal scorer across genders and currently the leading goal scorer in the 2023 Women’s Super League. She now ascends to an ambassador for Jamaica’s women’s football on the international football stage.
“We pray for her continued good health and strength as she prepares to lead our national team at the Women’s World Cup.
“In winning this award, Khadija has enhanced brand Jamaica, but even more so, has offered immense hope to countless young Jamaican female footballers. From playing in the streets of Spanish Town, to St Jago High School, to club, to the national team, to college and the professional ranks, she has not only paved the football pathway, but has shown the qualities that breed success,” Michael Ricketts, President of the JFF, added.