MOTDx: Raheem sterling got me to Man City- Khadija "Bunny" Shaw
Khadija "Bunny" Shaw grew up in Jamaica and was not allowed to play football. She had to sneak out of her home to play with her brothers wearing her school uniform.
The Manchester City forward, now 24, is one of the most prolific goal-scorers in women's soccer and Jamaica's top scorer at age 24.
BBC Sport looks at Shaw's second-half hat trick against Leicester, which came just before City's Women’s Super League match against West Ham.
"My parents wouldn't let me play football."
"It was difficult growing up in Jamaica as a woman because there aren't many opportunities for women there. I was playing football with the boys. It was difficult because they didn’t make it easy to me," Shaw shares with MOTDx.
"My parents wouldn't let me play football when I was younger because there weren't enough opportunities. It was a waste of their time.
"I used sneak out of my parents' house after they left for work, and came back in just before they got home." My dad found me one day and chased me. I had to sprint off the pitch.
Shaw, who was nicknamed 'Bunny" because she loved carrots as a child and was raised in Spanish Town. She attended the same high school that Yohan Blake, the sprinter.
She said that Jamaica was based on athletics. "Even before school, everybody's like, "first one to the shops gets a dollar." We were taught to sprint in PE but we would still be watching the football games. My teacher would tell me to focus, focus!
"I told my mom, "Let's make a deal. I'll pass my exams, and you'll let me play." When I was 13 years old, I passed my exams and was called up to the Jamaica U15s team. It all began when I was called up.
Shaw represented her country at World Cup qualifiers in 2018. Shaw will also be studying communications in America.
Shaw received scholarships from Navarro College in Texas, and Eastern Florida State College while representing her country in Florida.
The University of Tennessee scouted her and she completed a communications degree. This helped Jamaica become the first Caribbean country to win the Women's World Cup 2019.
"Because of the girls that I inspire, I will not give up"
Shaw stated, "It motivates me to keep on going knowing that other female footballers are being inspired." It was a shock to see the positive impact the World Cup would have on my country.
"One girl approached me after we returned and said, 'I want be like you. I asked her why, and she replied that she was strong and large and had made it to the World Cup.
"I looked at her and was so happy that I thought I would never give up.
Shaw holds the Jamaican record for goalscorer in either male or female, scoring 42 goals in just 30 games.
Shaw tragically lost three of her brothers and a nephew due to gang violence in Jamaica. The news about her nephew's death came while Shaw was playing football in Florida.
"Where I come from is what motivates me to keep going. She said, "It's been a long road, but I've made this far."
"Female Jamaicans are not given enough opportunities, in any sport or otherwise. Growing up, I didn't have any support. I knew that I wanted to do the things I loved.
Raheem Sterling was a part of the Man City transfer.
Shaw signed a three year deal with Manchester City in June. She had previously played for Girondins de Bordeaux for two years. Shaw scored 32 goals in 35 league matches and was named Guardian Footballer-of-the-Year in 2018.
After a successful campaign in France that saw her win a Golden Boot, the Jamaican joined the Blues. She scored in her WSL debut against Everton in a 4-1 win and also scored a hat trick in Wednesday's 6-0 FA Cup quarterfinal victory over Leicester.
Shaw stated that Shaw had two great years in France, and received offers from English clubs. Although it wasn't always Manchester, Raheem Sterling was a key player in the transfer.
"In Jamaica, even though you don't support any club, you can still support a person. So when Raheem Sterling was at Liverpool, I used to watch Liverpool every day, and then he moved to Manchester City.
"I spoke to Raheem before and then I came here."
Sterling, a Man City and England forward, posted a video on YouTube shortly after Shaw's transfer announcement. He congratulated Shaw and welcomed her to the "close-knit Manchester City Family".
Man City's WSL match against West Ham kicks off on Sunday at 14:00 BST. You can follow the action via BBC Sport app and website.
