I am ready now, says Hayles

Having made her long-awaited return to Reggae Girlz squad since her last appearance back in 2022, Shania Hayles is ready to stake her claim in the Hubert Busby-coached unit when the Girlz take on France today at 2:10 p.m. Jamaica time.

Hayles made her debut for the Girlz in 2021 against Nigeria and has since made three appearances for Jamaica. She last donned the black, gold and green of Jamaica during a 2022 friendly against South Korea where she came off the bench as a second half substitute.

Now back in the squad, Hayles feels she is now ready to cement her place in the national set-up and is buoyed by the reception she has received from her national teammates.

With the absence of the nation’s all-time leading goalscorer Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, Hayles is expected to be one of the team’s main goalscoring threat against a tough French squad.

“Obviously, I think goals are a big part of my game and just being confident and showing what I can do. I think, before, I probably wasn’t as ready as I am now so coming back in, I already feel a lot more confident and I’m ready to give everything for the team.” she stated.

“It is always good to come into camp. It’s just refreshing to see all the girls and meeting new faces. I feel comfortable and when I feel comfortable, I play well,” she added. “It’s been lovely. Everyone is so nice and we can speak to anyone so that’s what I like about it.”

Hayles enters today’s fixture in terrific form, having enjoyed a brilliant start to life for Newcastle United who she signed for during the summer.

Hayles has since netted five times in six appearances in the Barclays Women’s Championship, including a career-first hat-trick against Charlton Athletic last Sunday.

She hopes to bring her goalscoring form into the national team as she intends to lead from the front for the Girlz.

“I think I just had a fresh start from last season with a new team, so I had a lot to prove. I just went in with a lot of confidence and I think grabbing the first couple goals early on is always good for a striker because you kind of want to get those first goals,” she explained.

“So when I got them, I went on to find a few more. Obviously, getting my hat-trick at the weekend was a proud moment for me because that was the first career one, so hopefully, I can get a few more this season.”

For Hayles, wearing the national colours is a point of pride for her and her family. Born in England, Hayles qualified to represent Jamaica through her grandparents.

She intends to make them proud by representing Jamaica well, and stand as inspiration for young black girls to follow their footballing dreams.

“I was excited to come back,” she said. “Jamaica is in my family, my grandparents, which is lovely and when I got the call, it just showed that all the hard work had paid off that I’ve been putting on the journey so far.

“My grandparents mean a lot to me and for me, being a role model to other black children out there, that’s the big thing for me. I did a lot last season just so they can see someone like me playing for Jamaica and for my club, and they can aspire to be me.”

The Reggae Girlz take on France today at the Stade Auguste Bonal. The game will be a rematch from the 2023 Women’s World Cup where the teams played out a scoreless draw.