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• Opinion: Time for a change in the criteria for the RJRGleaner Sports Awards

  The announcement of the 2024 nominees for the RJRGleaner National Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Awards has reignited the long-standing debate about the fairness of the nomination criteria. These awards, while prestigious, have been heavily skewed in favor of track and field athletes for decades, leaving world-class performers from other sports marginalized.

  It was refreshing to hear Gary Allen, Chairman of the RJR Sports Foundation, acknowledge this issue during the announcement of nominees on Wednesday.  He stated that the Foundation’s board would review the criteria for eligibility after questions were raised about the glaring omissions of netballers and footballers, as well as athletes from other disciplines such as mixed martial arts.

   

  

  Among those omitted this year was Tyrese ‘Tank’ Thompson, who made history by winning the heavyweight division at the Pan American Mixed Martial Arts Championships in Mexico in September. Despite his extraordinary achievement in a highly competitive field, Thompson didn’t even receive a nomination.

  Netball Dominance Overlooked

  In netball, Jamaican players continue to excel on the world stage. Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, who plays for the West Coast Fever, has been the leading scorer in Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball League for the last five seasons. Fowler’s consistent dominance in the world’s premier netball league is unparalleled, yet she was left out of the list of nominees again this year.

  Romelda Aiken-George, who in 2024 was named MVP of the Suncorp Super Netball finals after leading the Adelaide Thunderbirds to victory, has also been overlooked. Her achievement, combined with her two previous league titles with the Queensland Firebirds, highlights her place among the sport’s elite.

  Additionally, Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and Latanya Wilson have been instrumental in back-to-back Suncorp titles for the Thunderbirds in 2023 and 2024, further solidifying the influence of Jamaican netballers in the world’s top league. Yet, their names remain absent from the nominees list.

  

  The Case for Football

  Football also offers a glaring example of exclusion. Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, who has established herself as one of the best strikers in the world, plays for Manchester City Women and has been a Ballon d’Or nominee twice. Her incredible performances in the Women’s Super League and UEFA Champions League have placed her among the global elite, yet she wasn’t considered for a nomination.

  The current criteria suggest that Shaw’s club-level achievements are somehow less significant because they weren’t earned while representing Jamaica. This is a flawed perspective that undermines the value of world-class performances at the club level.

  

  A Flawed Framework

  The awards currently hinge on performances for Jamaica at the global, continental, regional, and domestic levels, which effectively excludes many athletes excelling in professional leagues or international competitions outside national representation.

   Take the hypothetical example of Leon Bailey. If he were to score 40 goals and provide 15 assists for Aston Villa, leading them to an English Premier League title, would he not deserve a nomination for Sportsman of the Year? According to the current criteria, he wouldn’t, unless he replicated that performance in a World Cup for Jamaica.

  Closer to home, consider a player who has an outstanding season in the Jamaica Premier League, leading their team to a championship. Why should their achievement be any less worthy of recognition?

  A Need for Inclusivity

  The exclusion of athletes like Thompson, Shaw, Fowler-Nembhard, Aiken-George, and others highlights the need for a more inclusive approach. These individuals are not just representing Jamaica—they are excelling on the global stage, often against the best in their respective fields. Their performances inspire pride and admiration, just as much as any Olympic or World Championship medal.

  Moving Forward

  The RJRGleaner Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Awards should reflect the diversity of Jamaican sporting excellence, not just its dominance in track and field. Recognizing achievements across disciplines would validate the efforts of athletes in non-traditional sports, providing the motivation, respect, and recognition they deserve.

  I applaud the RJR Sports Foundation for committing to a review of the criteria. Jamaica is more than just a track and field nation; it is a nation rich with talent across countless sports. From the netball courts of Australia to the octagons of Mexico and the football pitches of Europe, Jamaican athletes are making their mark.

  The awards should evolve to celebrate this broader spectrum of achievement, ensuring that every Jamaican athlete, regardless of their sport, has a fair chance to be honoured. It’s time to rewrite the criteria and make these awards truly representative of Jamaica’s sporting legacy.

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

• Jamaica's Cavalier FC make History with Concacaf Caribbean Cup triumph

  Cavalier FC etched their name in Caribbean football history on Tuesday, becoming the first Jamaican club to claim the Concacaf Caribbean Cup since 2019 and only the third overall, following in the footsteps of Harbour View and Portmore United.

  Despite a 2-1 defeat in the decisive second leg against the Dominican Republic’s Cibao FC at the Estadio Cibao FC, Cavalier secured the championship on the away goals rule after a 2-2 aggregate tie.

  The Jamaican side entered the second leg with a slim 1-0 advantage, courtesy of Shaquille Stein’s goal in the first match in Kingston. However, Cibao FC, unbeaten through the semifinals, made an explosive start to the second leg in front of their fervent home crowd.

  The hosts leveled the aggregate score in the 27th minute when Juan Díaz calmly converted a penalty, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

  Seconds later, Cibao seized the lead on aggregate as their leading scorer, Rivaldo Correa, nodded home a pinpoint cross from Ernesto Trinidad to make it 2-0 on the night.

  Cavalier, however, refused to be rattled. In the 54th minute, Dwayne Atkinson, named Player of the Tournament, responded with a crucial strike, rifling the ball into the net to make it 2-2 on aggregate.

  With that goal, Cavalier regained control of the series via the away goals rule, but from there, the contest became a test of their defensive mettle.

  Cibao mounted relentless pressure, with José Barreto attempting a speculative long-range effort in the 70th minute, only for Cavalier’s goalkeeper Vino Barclett—later awarded Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament—to acrobatically tip the ball over the crossbar.

  Orlando Russell came close to sealing the series for Cavalier in the 84th minute but narrowly missed the target.

  Moments later, Cibao’s Eddipo Rodríguez unleashed a powerful shot from distance, forcing another crucial save from Barclett.

  The drama intensified in the dying moments as Cavalier’s Jalmaro Calvin found himself unmarked inside the penalty area but was denied by the right post.

  Cibao’s final flurry in stoppage time was neutralized by Barclett, who made his third save of the night, clutching the ball to signal the end of the contest and spark jubilant celebrations for Cavalier.

  Cavalier’s triumph marked the culmination of a remarkable campaign in which they showcased resilience, tactical acumen, and individual brilliance. In fact, it was no surprise that the Rudolph Speid-coached team swept the tournament’s individual awards.

  This, as Jalmaro Calvin won the Youth Revelation Award; Vino Barclett copped the Best Goalkeeper Award; Shaquille Stein won the Golden Boot; and Dwayne Atkinson was named Player of the Tournament. The Cavalier also took home the Fair Play Award.

  Having finished runners-up in 2023, Atkinson pointed out that Cavalier’s journey to the 2024 title was a story of redemption as the team demonstrated their growth and maturity by handling the pressure of playing in hostile territory and prevailing on the grand stage.

  “We kept our composure. They were leading us two-love, but we knew we needed only one (goal), and we came back and got the job done, and we kept a clean sheet in the second half,” Atkinson said.

  “The most difficult moment was when they led us 2-0; our heads were down, but we came back in the second half and regrouped and kept fighting, and we give God thanks. The goal gave us the momentum to keep fighting, and we came out victorious. This is one of my biggest dreams in my career. It’s a very proud moment for me, my coach, and all the fans from Jamaica. So we will give God thanks and celebrate,” he added.

  With this victory, Cavalier secured a coveted spot in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, entering the tournament in the Round of 16. Their achievement also signals a resurgence of Jamaican football at the regional level after Harbour View’s triumphs in 2004 and 2007, and Portmore United’s 2005 and 2019 wins.

• ‘It would mean everything’: T&T’s Kaile Auvray and Cavalier FC hungry for Caribbean Cup glory

  Cavalier FC midfielder Kaile Auvray is fully aware of the significance of the 2024 Concacaf Caribbean Cup Final for both himself and his Jamaican club.

  As Cavalier prepare for Tuesday’s decisive second leg against Cibao FC in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, Auvray is embracing the magnitude of the moment and the opportunity to etch his team’s name in the annals of Caribbean football history.

  “Being part of such an exciting match, such as the Caribbean Cup final, it's really an honor,” said the Trinidad and Tobago native, who has been a pivotal figure for Cavalier throughout the competition.

  “I think this title would mean everything, honestly. I know that last year we came close to winning it, so this year, [we] just want to go one step further and bring it home,” he added.

  The two clubs were evenly matched in the opening leg in Kingston, Jamaica, where Cavalier claimed a narrow 1-0 victory. Shaquille Stein’s decisive strike extended his tournament-leading tally to eight goals, setting the stage for a tantalizing conclusion at Cibao FC Stadium.

  Auvray has played an instrumental role in Cavalier’s road to the final, notably contributing in the semifinals with a multi-goal performance alongside Stein. His creativity and attacking instincts will be critical as Cavalier aim to protect their slender advantage and secure the club’s first Concacaf Caribbean Cup title.

  Despite the first-leg setback, Cibao FC remains confident in its ability to overturn the deficit in front of its passionate home crowd.

  The Dominican club had been unbeaten in the competition until the loss in Kingston and will look to its leading scorer, Rivaldo Correa, to inspire a comeback.

  Correa, who has netted five goals in the tournament, led Cibao’s charge in the first leg with seven shots on goal. His determination to deliver for the home fans was evident in his pre-match comments.

  “We are going to give our all. The team's spirit is that we are very focused, that we are going to turn it around, that we are going to do things in the best way. We are going to be very concentrated to turn this match around and take us to the championship.”

  With the aggregate winner set to be crowned 2024 champions, every moment of the second leg promises to be high-stakes.

  Should Cibao win 1-0, the match would proceed to extra time and potentially penalties to determine the victor. Away goals serve as the first tiebreaker, adding another layer of intrigue to the contest.

  For Auvray and Cavalier, this is a chance to solidify the club’s place among the Caribbean elite and bring a sense of pride to their supporters.

  “This is about going one step further. We’re ready to give it everything we’ve got,” Auvray emphasized.