Some days it’s football boots, other days it’s a netball bib. Every day, it’s with passion.

Twelve-year-old Shanoya N. is defying the odds in sport at Christel House Jamaica. She excels as a goalkeeper, and is the only girl on our U12 football team. She has an even greater love for netball. Recently, she was scouted by a new all-girls football academy, Football is Freedom, where she now trains every Saturday.

Christel House recently won the Portmore Primary School Football Competition. Shanoya was named Best Goalkeeper and Most Outstanding Girl in the tournament. This was after keeping in a one-day tournament the same day for her football academy where she was named Most Valuable Player.

Shanoya says her favorite subject is Physical Education. “PE isn’t hard for me,” she says, adding that her PE teacher, Ms. Colleen Richards, is like a second mother.  Shanoya first learned about football and netball at Christel House from Ms. Richards who encouraged her to try both sports. Ms. Richards remembers, “Before we even started a football team, she was always kicking bottles in the hallway with the boys. That’s when I saw her passion and a skill that could be developed, so we didn’t hesitate to invite her.”

As for why Shanoya became the goalkeeper, Ms. Richards explains that we played in the INSPORTS Primary School Competition in our first year. The rules require at least one girl on the field at all times. “I placed her in goal so the boys could protect her, and it worked.”

Shanoya says starting netball last year helped her become a better goalkeeper.  The fact that she doesn’t like using gloves probably comes from playing netball too. Between the two sports, she likes netball more. “It’s more fun.” She adds, “Sometimes I don’t like standing up in the goal ’cause of the sun and how hot I am.”

Sports have helped Shanoya stay focused in the classroom.  Ms. Richards says she has seen a big change in Shanoya since they met in Grade 3. “She wouldn’t stay in class before. But I’ve seen a real improvement in her behavior. We know there’s still more work to do with academics, and where I can help, I will.”

Shanoya agrees: “When I came here, I was very shy. I didn’t want to say a word. I’ve grown now. I’m different.” She’s a little nervous about moving on to high school. “I’m kinda excited but scared. I think it’ll be hard.”

Her mom Natasha Love says, “Thank God fi Christel House.” Before enrolling, Shanoya wasn’t doing too well academically, and her attitude toward learning wasn’t the best. “As a single mom, it was always hard to purchase books and supplies for her, but with Christel House’s help, things are a bit easier now. It’s a good school, not gonna tell no lie. They push their students. With what they’re doing for my child, if she was going to another school, I’m sure they wouldn’t be doing it (giving that level of support).”

Natasha says she’s grateful for the support and sees a better path ahead for Shanoya. “She wants to play netball, and she can do whatever she wants to do, but I tell her she have to have her education.” And she is encouraging Shanoya to find that balance as she takes on high school next school year.

Shanoya says she enjoys being a student at Christel House. “It fun, and at the end of the day, they take care of us.”