HAVING failed to make the final squad to the 2019 Fifa Women’s World Cup in France, Siobhan Wilson welcomes the opportunity to again challenge for a spot on Jamaica’s Senior Reggae Girlz team as she is more focused on the technical aspects of playing the left wing position.

The English-born Wilson, along with defender Maliah Atkins, midfielder Kameron Simmonds, and goalkeeper Liya Brooks, will be hoping to earn their first senior cap as part of Lorne Donaldson’s 23-member squad due to face 18th-ranked South Korea in an international friendly on September 3 at the Hwaseong Sports Complex in Gyeonggi.

They will also engage the South Koreans in a closed-door practice match on September 6.

Atkins was a part of the camp in Denver, Colarado, ahead of the Concacaf Women’s Championship while Brooks and Simmonds, who both represented the Under-17 and Under-20 Reggae Girlz with distinction, are now matriculating up the ranks.

Midfielder Marlo Sweatman and winger Tiffany Cameron, who also missed out on the Concacaf Women’s Championship, are now included, with another England-based player, Shania Hayles, and Giselle Washington in particular making long awaited returns to the set-up.

For Wilson, the opportunity to again strut her stuff for the technical staff influences motivation and the ability to see the big picture, while she continues to improve her craft.

She credits her father Clive — who boasts nearly 500 league games in a career which spanned spells at Manchester City, Chelsea, Queens Park Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur — for his tough love and advice, which continue to fuel her path to the top.

However, while her father (who also favoured the left side of the park) may not have achieved international recognition despite his impressive top-flight career, Wilson could very well tick that accomplishment off for the family.

“For me it’s massive. International football and being involved with the Reggae Girlz is such a privilege and so I am just hopeful that I can bring my experience and help the team in any way I can,” Wilson, who earns her Jamaican stripes through grandparents, told the Jamaica Observer.

“He is very critical of me but I know he does it out of love. I appreciate every piece of advice he gives me because he’s been in my position and experienced what’s it’s like playing at the top level himself,” the player, who now represents Birmingham City FC Women, added.

The 28-year-old was one of Crystal Palace’s standout players for the 2021/2022 Barclays Women’s Championship season, as she provided her former club with plenty of versatility.

In her 20 appearances for the Eagles, Wilson contributed five goals and was a real burst of energy in the wide areas — attributes she is eager to put on display for the Reggae Girlz on this occasion.

“I have established myself in the league and set some personal goals that I was able to achieve. It was a really strong season at Crystal Palace and I’m looking forward to developing further at Birmingham City.

“It will also be more of the same for this call-up because, obviously, it is every player’s dream to go to the World Cup — but I first just want to focus on this camp and contribute in any way I can,” she said.

“The Reggae Girlz are a very talented squad so I just hope that I can complement who is already there. I’m just going to come in, enjoy the experience, and work hard. I hope that I can bring my experience into the team but mostly I am just looking forward to being part of the squad,” Wilson noted.

Though missing the final cut on her first invite, Wilson said there were no lingering disappointments as she is well aware of the quality within the core of the Reggae Girlz pool that was recently enhanced by the addition of a number of England-born players.

Still, the dimunitive player, standing just over five feet, is preparing herself for the challenge to come in what she hopes will be a fruitful outing.

“Obviously it’s a very strong squad, which is more and more competitive each camp. I’m just really pleased now to have an opportunity to represent my country. It’s a great honour to now be called up so I am just looking forward to getting in with the girls and being involved,” said Wilson who also holds down the left full back position at times.

“So again, it is massive but I am just treating it like any other footballing opportunity. Obviously with a national call-up there is always a lot of excitement, and I just need to prepare myself for the step up to international football,” the cheerful personality ended.

Squad: Sydney Schneider (Kansas City Current FC); Yazmeen Jamieson (Simcoe County Rovers); Chantelle Swaby (FC Fleury 91); Allyson Swaby (Angel City FC); Vyan Sampson (Charleton FC-W); Chinyelu Asher (Aik Stockholm); Kayla McCoy (Glasgow Rangers FC); Atlanta Primus (London City FC); Marlo Sweatman (Szent Mihaly, Hungary); Khadija Shaw (Manchester City); Tiernny Wiltshire (Houston Dash, on trial); Drew Spence (Tottenham Hotspur FC-W); Mireya Grey (unattached); Trudi Carter (FC Gintra); Olufolasade Adamolekun (University Of Southern California); Deneisha Blackwood (GPSO 92 ISSY, France); Tiffany Cameron (ETO FC Gyor); Shania Hayles (Bristol City FC); Kameron Simmonds (University of Tennessee); Liya Brooks (Hawaii Surf); Siobhan Wilson (Birmingham City FC); Giselle Washington (University of Tennessee); Maliah Atkins (University of South Dakota).