AFTER winning a historic second Women’s PFA (Professional Football Association) Players’ Player of the Year award, Khadija “Bunny” Shaw says she wants to continue inspiring girls in Jamaica to help reach their full potential.

The Reggae Girlz captain was presented with the prestigious trophy on Tuesday at the PFA’s annual awards ceremony in Manchester, England.

Manchester City striker Shaw was the standout player in the Women’s Super League (WSL) last season, scoring 21 goals to claim her third-consecutive Golden Boot while helping the club secure its second-ever WSL title and their fourth FA Cup.

The 29-year-old, who first won the PFA players’ player of the year accolade in 2024, became only the third player in the award’s history to win it more than once, joining England legends Lucy Bronze and Fran Kirby.

Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw (left) tries to control the ball as Liverpool’s Denise O’Sullivan closes in during the English Women’s Super League football match at Joie Stadium in Manchester, north-west England, on May 3, 2026. (Photo: AFP)

The former St Jago High standout, who joined City in 2021, also made history as the first player from outside England to claim the prestigious award.

“[I’m] truly honoured and grateful for everyone who voted,” Shaw said. “Last season was a special year for me personally but also for the players and the club as well, creating history.

“I couldn’t have imagined it [after leaving Jamaica] but you know what? As I continue my journey and continue trying to be the best that I can be, the dream started to become a reality. Obviously, coming to England was the biggest one for me, and then arriving here was a bit more challenging than I thought, but once I got my foot to the ground, kept my head down, kept working, obviously trophies like this would come.”

Although proud of her accomplishments Shaw says it wouldn’t have been possible without her teammates at Man City.

“I just feel like chemistry is the biggest thing,” she said. “When I look back on the players and what we’ve done, I’ve built good relationships with the players around me, on and off the pitch, and I think that’s also important as well. I feel like it’s been happening, and may it continue.”

Shaw continues to establish herself as one of the world’s best, both at club level and internationally, having played a key role in the Reggae Girlz’s historic FIFA World Cup appearances in 2019 and 2023.

She wants her achievements to serve as a source of hope for girls in her home country.

“I want to inspire young girls that it’s definitely possible. Once you believe, and have faith, and keep working hard, I think it’s possible. Even when I go home, I still try to inspire them and motivate them that it’s definitely possible,” Shaw said.

With the new season set to kick off on September 4, Shaw says she has no intention of resting on her laurels.

“I think, for me, just keep driving my personal standards, because I think that over the years I’ve noticed that it rubs off on everyone else,” she said.

“Obviously, the girls sometimes say I’m a bit harder on myself but I think me being who I am and want to be better, want to score more goals, want to help the team to achieve the highest of the highs, I think that’s something that I can definitely improve on — and I think once I do that, anything’s possible.”

Shaw’s Man City begin their title defence on September 6 against Birmingham City. She’s also set to lead the line for Jamaica’s crucial World Cup-qualifying decider in November against Costa Rica.