LIKE other sports, football has the power to establish lasting bonds between teammates.

In many cases these mutual friendships are crafted at camps, summer leagues and on high school football teams.

For the Excelsior High trio of Akelia Johnson, Kiona Tuloach and Shaneil Buckley, this is strikingly evident as their bonds hold firm as they matriculate to another level — the national programme.

Johnson, Tuloach and Buckley are among players selected for a Jamaica training camp in preparation for the Concacaf Women’s Under-17 Championships to be held in the Dominican Republic April 23–May. Jamaica are drawn in Group A comprising the hosts, plus Bermuda and Canada.

Jamaica will play Bermuda on April 24, the Dominican Republic on April 26, before closing out the group stage against powerhouse Canada on April 28.

Johnson, who plays attacking midfield for Excelsior in the current ISSA/TIP Friendly Society Girls’ Football competition, believes that playing football for her country is something she will never forget, and will be something she will treasure for the rest of her life.

“This is something much bigger than any individual, any team, any coach or any championship. This is a chance to proudly represent your country and I am so excited.

“I know that I am a very good player and I know the game pretty well and so I think I will be an asset to the squad,” Johnson told the Jamaica Observer.

But getting the call for training doesn’t guarantee a spot on the team, and Johnson knows very well that success only comes with hard work.

“Usually you don’t get to sport the Jamaican jersey without putting in the hard work necessary to do so, as you have to put your life on the line. If I had to rate myself I think I am, at the moment, nine out of 10 as I have to work on my fitness some more.

“I am the full package as I am eager to play for my country, going out there, doing my best and having fun,” the 16-year-old said.

Johnson, who hails from the community of Windward Road in Kingston and began playing football at the age of nine while attending primary school, said that it was mind-blowing when she received a call to join the training camp, which had begun on April 14.

“I can tell you, it was a very nice feeling knowing that I grew up in a ghetto and I am excelling in a way to build the community. Knowing that I am the first female from the community to be selected for the national camp for the opportunity to make the team, it is wonderful, amazing and I am truly grateful,” said Johnson, who in her last game for Excelsior on Thursday scored three goals against Tivoli Gardens High.

Tuloach, who has also expressed an interest in joining her country’s Under-17 team in the Dominican Republic, described herself as a genuine player and considers herself as one for the future.

“I am from Southside, 18 East Queen Street, and my interest in football started when I was in grade two at the Holy Family Primary School. I used to play football in the streets with my cousins and that really set the foundation for me to continue with football,” Tuloach said.

“At that very young ag, when you are playing and scoring goals the feeling is really good and so you want to grow in the sport, as people are always motivating you and you feel like you are doing something good.” she added.

The defensive midfielder Tuloach, who also plays centre back, said she was very excited when she got the call, something she had dreamt about.

“I was very excited when I got the call to go to camp with the national team. It was also a shocking mood as well for me as I was overwhelmed, as this is an opportunity to play for my country.

“I can hold my own, I can do my thing, but there is always room for improvement. I need to improve mostly on my decision-making skills as well sprinting,” she shared with the Observer.

For Buckley, the young native from the community of Newland in Portmore, it was rather an easy road for her to travel but every time she gets the opportunity for the chance to represent Jamaica, it’s always special.

“I felt excited. It is always a pleasure to join the national squad to be eligible for selection to represent the country. I mean, this is not the first time for me as last month I was a part of the Under-20 team but every time I get the opportunity, it is a dream come true every time. I was born to play football, and I have worked really hard and I will continue to work hard,” she said.

Buckley, in her last game for Excelsior, got on the scoresheet six times in her team’s 26-0 win over Tivoli.

“I started playing football from age nine while attending Excelsior High School and I kept on playing for them [Excelsior] over the year, and I have grown into a good player. I play midfield and I have always been working on my game in school and out of school,” she ended.