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Family at heart of Hinds’ decision to join Reggae Girlz
October 25, 2024
Having represented England throughout her youth career, Liverpool defender Taylor Hinds says her family was the driving force being her decision to switch allegiance and accept a call-up to the Reggae Girlz squad to take on France today in an international friendly.
Hinds had turned out for the Lionesses throughout the various age groups but credited her family, specifically her grandfather, as the turning point in her international career.
With her grandparents being from Jamaica, Hinds said she hopes to make her family proud as she is expected to make her international debut against a strong French team.
"So proud," she said, "I wanted to be here and my family are proud of me as well, especially my granddad. I think he was a bit shocked, but in a good way, so I'm just proud to be here and I'm looking forward to the future."
She continued, "My nana and my grandad are from Manchester, and then my family, I've got a big wide family as well," she stated in a video interview released by the Jamaica Football Federation ahead of the France friendly.
"I'm proud and honoured to represent Jamaica and, obviously I'm not just doing it for myself, not just for the team, but for my family as well," the 25-year-old said.
Hinds is regarded as an exceptional addition to the Reggae Girlz squad, as she brings years of experience in the Barclay's Women's Super League.
She made her senior debut for Arsenal in the 2017-18 FA Cup and now stands as the vice-captain of Liverpool, with over 100 club appearances under her belt across all competitions.
Hinds said the choice to represent Jamaica instead of England was difficult, but felt her connection to the island through her family was too much to ignore.
"I definitely found it challenging, because both countries are part of me and a part of growing up," she explained.
"I think there's just something special about Jamaica and the culture and the way my family are as well. I knew that I'd be happy here and I knew that I'd enjoy it here, because of how everyone is and the the bubbly-ness in everyone as well."
The Reggae Girlz are set to face France today in a rematch from the 2023 Women's World Cup where the teams played out a scoreless draw.
The match is set for 2:10 p.m. Jamaica time at the Stade Auguste Bonal and is the home ground of Football Club Sochaux-Montbeliard, commonly referred to as Sochaux. It is based in the city of Montbeliard.
