‘I just love playing football’

When Monica Bosiljevac stepped away from football as a player over a decade ago, she did not foresee lacing up her boots to compete for Real Mona in their return to the Jamaica Women’s Premier League (JWPL) this season.

Bosiljevac’s journey to being the heart of Real Mona’s midfield is a story of life’s twists and turns, her love for football, and her connection to a team that needed her experience in the squad.

Born in the United States, Bosiljevac played collegiate football with the University of Nebraska Omaha before she stepped away from the sport as a player and became a coach for high school girls’ football.

Along with her coaching role, Bosiljevac also helped the development of women’s football all over the world through the non-profit organisation Football for the World, which led her to Jamaica, where she formed a connection with Neo Oxford.

“I have been donating football equipment through a non-profit, Football for the World, for the past 10-plus years in Jamaica. We’ve always had a focus on providing equipment for girls and opportunities for girls,” Bosiljevac explained.

“I was initially connected with Neo Oxford when he was coaching at Meadowbrook. We made a donation to his girls’ team there,” she continued.

“Then, in 2020, he decided to form Reinas Academy. We immediately supported with donations of equipment; boots, balls, training bibs, and cones. Whatever we could get our hands on to then distribute and donate to Reinas.”

With her established connection to Reinas Academy, Bosiljevac was on hand to support the players when they agreed a partnership with Real Mona to compete in the JWPL this year.

However, her supportive role soon turned into her taking to the pitch when Oxford asked her to register as a player.

With Real Mona fielding a very young team, there were concerns around player fatigue as a majority of their squad would also be competing in schoolgirls’ football, which was played at the same time.

And that was how Bosiljevac found herself out of retirement and playing a leading role in Real Mona’s return to the women’s top-flight.

“When they decided we’re going to go into the Jamaica Women’s Premier League, they had so many players that were playing in the high school schoolgirls’ football that Neo said, ‘Monica, would you be willing to play with us this year?’ I said, ‘Yep, let’s do it’,” she explained.

“I haven’t played 11-a-side football competitively like this since college, but I said I’ll get in shape. I still play two to three times a week with different groups of guys,” she continued.

“It’s so nice to be back on the field and to have something to train for and prep for and compete. I’m such a competitive person that it’s so nice to have that outlet again on the field doing something, and I just love playing football.”

ON-FIELD INFLUENCE

Bosiljevac said one of the best things about her return to the sport is being able to play alongside the young players and pass on her experience to the next generation.

She said her experience in collegiate football and her time as a coach allow her to assist Oxford in his coaching duties and influence the team while on the the field.

“I played throughout university and then I coached for 10 years. I used to coach high-school girls, so I have this ability to understand the game, read the game, and then also influence on the field,” she said.

“There’s only so much that you can do as a coach from the sideline to prepare and prep the team for what they’re about to face. But then actually having a person on the field who can provide leadership, confidence, and just kind of that calm and control when it’s under pressure or managing the game just based on experience; that’s what I bring to the game.”

Bosiljevac has been enjoying her time on the field. She scored her first goal of the season over the weekend, opening Real Mona’s account in a 2-0 win over UWI Women’s.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com