Reggae Girlz veteran Reid calls time on illustrious career
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A titan of women’s football, who has travelled the length and breadth of the sport, Los Perfectos’ veteran striker Venicia Reid has made the difficult decision to hang up her boots at the end of the Jamaica Women’s Premier League (JWPL) season.
Reid stands as one of the most recognisable figures in Jamaica’s women’s football over the past 15 years.
She has played locally, internationally, and has represented the national team, making her Reggae Girlz debut in 2003.
Reid also stands as one of the Reggae Girlz all-time top goalscorers with 21 notches on her belt, bettered only by Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw and Shakira Duncan.
Having made the decision to call an end to her career, Reid said she is happy for all she has achieved while entertaining her fans one final time.
“For me to be one of the leading goalscorers for Jamaica, locally and internationally, that's been really an honour,” Reid told The Gleaner.
“Overall, my career has been really good for the past 15 years. It's been really great locally and internationally, so I can't complain,” she continued.
“This is my last season and I really enjoyed coming back home and playing football for the past two seasons. It's been a joy out there again, putting on something for the crowd, and I'm just here to entertain the fans again.”
Reid holds the distinction as one of the most prolific strikers in the JWPL for the past two seasons, scoring 27 goals for Los Perfectos last year and 24 this season.
Despite still having an eye for goal, Reid said now was the time for her to walk away from the sport she loves as her body simply cannot keep up with the demands any more.
At 38 years old, Reid said it is a struggle for her to recover after the games and her time on the field has naturally come to an end.
“I'm tired, to be honest. To come out here at my age, I'm 38 now, and I can’t keep doing this week in and week out,” she admitted.
“When I go home, I'm in a lot of pain. So there comes a time when I just have to say, ‘enough is enough’. And I think this season is enough.
“It's a joy, but I'm tired, to be honest. I've been playing from when I was 14 years old, so now I'm 38. I think it's the right time to say goodbye.”
PASSING THE TORCH
Reid said while she is turning the page on this chapter of her life, she is happy to play the role of mentor to the next generation.
She has been passing on her knowledge to the younger players at the club, and said it would not be a surprise if she returns to the sport, this time on the sidelines as a coach.
“To help these younger girls, it feels like a joy doing it, especially the ones that are willing to learn. It makes life very easy playing with them, also helping them and giving them advice in and out of football,” Reid said.
“[Coaching] is something I’ve been thinking about for the past two months, especially because I want to go back to help Los Perfectos. So maybe next season will see me on the touchline coaching.”