Bunny Shaw Deserves to Be Crowned RJR Sportswoman of the Year

Khadija Shaw, affectionately known as Bunny Shaw, continuously elevates Jamaican football on the global stage. Yet, she still appears to be consistently overlooked when discussions surrounding Jamaica’s highest sporting honours arise.

At this point, the question must be asked: how many times must a Jamaican woman dominate internationally before the nation fully celebrates her greatness?

Shaw has become one of the most accomplished athletes Jamaica has ever produced. She has shattered records in England’s Women’s Super League (WSL), carried Jamaica’s national women’s team to historic achievements, and established herself among the elite footballers in the world. Yet despite these accomplishments, she has not received the level of recognition nationally that many believe she deserves — particularly regarding the RJR Sports Foundation National Sportswoman of the Year Award.

Dominating English Football

Playing for Manchester City W.F.C. in England’s Women’s Super League — widely regarded as one of the strongest women’s football leagues in the world — Bunny Shaw has become one of the league’s most feared strikers and one of the best players in world football.

Her accomplishments in England, after making a strong start to professional life at Bordeaux in Ligue 1 Feminine, are extraordinary:

• Won the 2023–24 Women’s Super League Golden Boot after scoring 21 goals in just 18 league games.
• On course to win a third consecutive WSL Golden Boot, an achievement that would cement her status among the greatest strikers the league has ever seen.
• Scored 19 goals in 21 league matches during the current season despite injury setbacks.
• Became the fastest player in WSL history to reach 50 goals for Manchester City.
• Became Manchester City W.F.C.’s all-time leading scorer.
• Recorded nearly 100 direct goal involvements in only 92 appearances, a phenomenal return for any striker.
• Named the 2023–24 Women’s Super League Player of the Season.
• Won the Football Writers’ Association Women’s Footballer of the Year Award.
• Won the PFA Women’s Players’ Player of the Year Award
• Regularly ranked among the top scorers across Europe’s elite leagues.
• Helped Manchester City return to the top of English women’s football and compete for major domestic honours.

These are not simply “good” statistics. These are generational numbers.

In many countries, athletes producing performances at this level would already be considered national treasures.

A Global Football Superstar

Shaw has now been nominated multiple times for the prestigious Women’s Ballon d’Or — football’s highest individual honour.

She was nominated in:

• 2023
• 2024

Most importantly, she became the first Jamaican national team footballer — male or female — ever nominated for the Ballon d’Or.

In 2024, she finished 15th in the world in the Women’s Ballon d’Or rankings, placing her among the very best female footballers globally.

Her accomplishments extend far beyond club football:

• Helped Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz qualify for consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cups.
• Played a major role in Jamaica reaching the FIFA Women’s World Cup Round of 16.
• Became the first non-North American player to win the Concacaf Women’s Player of the Year Award.
• Continues to be one of the most recognisable Caribbean athletes internationally.

Jamaica’s Bias Toward Track and Field

This conversation is not meant to diminish Jamaica’s track and field athletes, many of whom are legends and absolutely deserving of national recognition. However, there is a growing concern that Jamaica’s sporting establishment tends to heavily favour athletics, even when athletes in other disciplines are achieving historic global success.

Football is the world’s most popular sport, and Bunny Shaw is excelling at the highest level of it. Week after week, she competes against some of the best footballers on Earth and consistently outperforms them.

If an athlete:

• ranks among the best footballers in the world,
• dominates professionally in England,
• breaks scoring records,
• receives Ballon d’Or nominations,
• wins international player awards,
• and proudly carries Jamaica’s flag with excellence,

Then that athlete deserves equal recognition within Jamaica’s sporting landscape.

The broader issue is that women’s football in Jamaica still receives insufficient respect, investment, and visibility. The local women’s league receives limited media coverage and sponsorship, while the Reggae Girlz often have to fight for adequate support despite repeatedly making history for the country.

Bunny Shaw’s treatment reflects a broader issue surrounding the valuation of female footballers in Jamaica.

Manchester City’s Contract Situation Raises Serious Questions

Equally concerning is the current situation surrounding Shaw and Manchester City.

Reports indicate that Shaw’s current contract expires this summer, and despite her incredible contributions to the club, no extension has yet been finalised.

This is shocking, considering the numbers she continues to produce.

According to reports:

• Shaw is set to claim a third consecutive WSL Golden Boot.
• Her next goal involvement will mark 100 direct goal contributions in only 92 games.
• Chelsea has reportedly offered her a deal worth approximately £1 million per year.

What makes the situation even more baffling is that Shaw has been central to Manchester City’s recent success. Losing a player of her calibre, especially on the back of a first league title in a decade, would be a massive setback for the club.

Quite frankly, it is difficult to believe Manchester City cannot afford to pay one of the best strikers in women’s football what she deserves. Shaw has earned the right to advocate for herself and pursue opportunities where her value is fully recognised.

And perhaps that is the larger theme here. Internationally, people are increasingly recognising Bunny Shaw’s greatness. The concern is whether Jamaica and Manchester City are doing enough to match that respect.

More Than an Athlete

Beyond football, Bunny Shaw has become a symbol of possibility for young Jamaican girls. She has shown that a Jamaican woman can rise from local beginnings to become one of the best footballers on Earth. That impact goes far beyond statistics.

She has inspired:

• Young girls to pursue football professionally,
• Caribbean athletes to dream bigger,
• and Jamaicans everywhere to see women’s football differently.

There is a legitimate argument that Khadija “Bunny” Shaw deserves one of Jamaica’s highest national honours for her contribution to sport, women’s empowerment, and national representation.

At minimum, she deserves to be crowned RJR Sportswoman of the Year finally.

Khadija “Bunny” Shaw has already given Jamaica more than enough reasons to celebrate her.

The question now is whether Jamaica is finally prepared to give her the flowers she has long earned.