THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT REGGAE GIRL DENEISHA BLACKWOOD

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT REGGAE GIRL DENEISHA BLACKWOOD
Sunday, July 30, 2023

As the Reggae Girlz continue to be the small axe to the big trees of the major women football powers, Jamaica’s defense, which has yet to concede a goal, has come in for much commendation.
Deneisha “Den Den” Blackwood, the former Excelsior High School girls football captain has been at the heart of that defense. The tenacious Blackwood and her peers have built a virtual steel wall in front of the Jamaica goal which has resulted in the Reggae Girlz being one of only seven team with a clean sheet after the first two games of the first round.

BUT WHO IS DENEISHA BLACKWOOD?
The former Cooreville, St Andrew is an alumna of Excelsior High School and represented the school at football between 2015 and 2020. At one point as the captain of the team which has dominated schoolgirls football over the past two decades

PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Deneisha Blackwood and her Reggae Girlz teammates made history for Jamaica’s national women’s football team in the first match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup on 23 July 2023. Her outstanding performance led to the team securing a draw (0 – 0) against France. This achievement marked a historic moment for Jamaica as it was the first time the all-woman team earned a point in the prestigious World Cup tournament. Following the historic draw against France, Blackwood earned the title ‘Player of the Match’.
She and the Reggae Girlz continued to create history in securing a further three points yesterday with a colossal victory against Panama. The 43rd ranked Reggae Girlz now sit on the threshold of an appearance in the second round the World Cup, requiring only a draw against 9th ranked Brazil to advance

HER IMPRESSIVE MATCHES
Blackwood’s journey as a professional footballer has seen her play in several significant matches. She has showcased her skills in matches against Australia, Czechia, Spain, Korea Republic, Costa Rica, Canada, the United States, and Mexico women’s football teams. Her performances continue to earn her recognition and respect from fans and peers alike.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND MILESTONES
One of the major highlights of Deneisha’s career was when she played a pivotal role in helping Jamaica qualify for the Women’s World Cup in 2018. In the match against Panama, she stepped up during the penalty shoot-out, scoring a goal that led Jamaica to victory and secured their spot in the prestigious tournament.

JAMAICAN ROOTS
Deneisha Blackwood’s love for football was nurtured in her hometown, Kingston. Her talent and dedication caught the attention of local coaches, eventually leading her to pursue her passion professionally.
Currently Living in Houston In recent times, Deneisha Blackwood calls Houston, Texas her new home as she plays for the Houston Dash, a prominent football club in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL),

Known for her skills as a left-back, Blackwood has also demonstrated her proficiency with her left foot, making her a valuable asset in various positions on the field. She has even played as a forward and midfielder during her career.

Beyond the football field, Deneisha Blackwood also has a passion for mathematics and aspires to be an accountant in the future. In a recent interview, Blackwood said the journey as a footballer has taught her valuable life lessons, and she finds inspiration from her mother, who raised her and her siblings single-handedly. The support of her family and the desire to give back to her community in Jamaica by helping young players are some of the driving forces behind her aspirations.
She graduated in 2019 from the University of West Florida with a Bachelors Degree in Sports Management.
Adapted from Jamaicans.com
Photos (c) FIFA