Sherdon Cowan | Jamaica Gleaner
It is every football player’s dream to one day gain a professional overseas contract, and Reggae Boy Kemar Lawrence is one of them.
The 22-year-old remains optimistic that he will eventually land one such contract, preferably somewhere in Europe.
But as he yearns for the big break, Lawrence told the Jamaica Observer that he will continue to work hard on the local scene.
“I think it’s time for me to leave Jamaica now, but I just have to stay humble and grounded at the same time and wait patiently. I can’t wait for the new adventure to start, and hopefully it’s in Europe,” said the Harbour View leftback.
“But in saying all that, if I am still in Jamaica I will be on top of my game as always, keep working hard, keep pushing forward and hopefully someone will see me,” he added.
The former national youth player, who naturally progressed to the senior ranks, got his first call-up to the Reggae Boyz team in September 2013, during the CONCACAF qualifying round.
He made his first appearance two months later, when he featured in a friendly against Trinidad & Tobago at the Montego Bay Sports Complex in November.
Since then, Lawrence has featured in all four matches of the Jamaica national team’s international tour in the summer of last year, which saw them play 2014 FIFA World Cup-bound France and Switzerland, along with Serbia and Egypt.
The wide defender, who has been compact in both defence and offence, got his first international goal for Jamaica in a 3-1 friendly defeat against Canada in September.
One month later in November, he scored Jamaica’s first goal against Antigua and Barbuda, which came in the final group stage match of their 2014 Caribbean Cup-winning campaign.
“It has been the best experience of my life and words cannot express how happy I am to be a part of that [national] team. I also must say a big thank you to coach (Winfried) Schaefer, because he is the one that gave me this opportunity. But without God, none of this would be possible and I thank him every day,” said the Bull Bay resident.
Lawrence’s superb free kick which gave Jamaica the lead in the loss to Canada has ranked him among five other outstanding performances for the RJR Sports Foundation People’s Choice Performance of the Year Award. He will line up against Wolmer’s boy Jaheel Hyde (athletics), Nicholas Walters (boxing), Andre Russell (cricket), Andrew Gutzmore (football) and joint record holder in the 100-metre breaststroke, Alia Atkinson (swimming), who is the only female nominee.
Lawrence, popularly called ‘Taxi’, said he was surprised by the nomination.
“This came as a surprise to me; I know I was having a really good year, but I didn’t know it was good enough to get me nominated. So this means a lot to me and I am really happy that my work is bearing fruit.
“It just goes to show you how good God is and the wonders He does. It’s a privilege for me, because, not everyone can say they were nominated for an award, so I am really elated. I know the other nominees have worked hard and I lift my hat to them,” the 5ft 10in winger said.
Lawrence, a two-time national champion with Harbour View FC, stated that the thought of victory has not crossed his mind. But, he acknowledges that it would encourage him to work even harder.
“I haven’t really thought about it because I never dreamed about being nominated, but I think my chances are as good as the other nominees,” he noted.
“I know my grandma would have a space for the trophy and she would be very proud of me. All in all, this would just mean that I have more work to do because after this I am going to want another one [award], “he added.
Lawrence pointed out that he would have been happy to exchange the expertly taken strike for a victory, as he recollected the performance with mixed emotions.
“It was a really good goal; I had been taking those free kicks in training, so I went up [and] took the free kick with confidence. At first, I said to someone that I would trade in the goal for a win because as you know we lost that game, but I am grateful for everything,” said the fleet-of-foot player.
Vote for ‘Taxi’ for the RJR Sportsman & Sportswoman Awards People’s Choice by calling/texting 444-2473 and selecting ‘4’ as many times as you want.