<!-- wp:image {"id":7999} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/charlette-rowe-A-20190907.jpg" alt="Charlette Rowe is excited to play hockey in China. " class="wp-image-7999" /><figcaption>Charlette Rowe is excited to play hockey in China. (Photos: Contributed)</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Charlette Rowe has one great
passion. It is the game of hockey. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>She is off to China on a
Ministry of Finance scholarship to study International Relations. Outside of
her studies (including a year learning the language), what does she want to do
in her spare time?</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>“To play hockey,” she says. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Hockey is not an easy game.
Played on grass or sometimes indoors, field hockey dates back to the days of
the ancient Greeks and versions of it have been played around the globe for
hundreds of years – including in ancient China, where ice hockey is also
becoming popular. In Jamaica, it’s a fairly low-key sport. Charlette and her
team may change all that in the future.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Charlette wants to continue
playing in China, noting that China was one of the top four teams in last
year’s Youth Olympics. She has set her sights on competing in Jamaica’s
under-21 team next year.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":8000} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/charlette-rowe-BB-20190907-1024x768.jpg" alt="Charlette Rowe (right) is all smiles as she stands with her Jamaican teammates. " class="wp-image-8000" /><figcaption>Charlette Rowe (right) is all smiles as she stands with her Jamaican teammates. </figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>A former Deputy Head Girl at
St Hugh’s High School, Charlette grew up on Rousseau Road, St Andrew, with her
mother and siblings. Her father died three years ago. Her family members are
happy for her, proud of her. She has overcome the ‘stereotype’ of an inner-city
girl, in the eyes of other girls in her community. A role model? Yes, this
former ‘shy girl’ thinks so. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>It was not an easy path to
tread, as her mother could not afford high college fees. Thanks to the
scholarship, she is able to embark on a course of study. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>But one thing hockey has
taught her, says Charlette, is mental toughness. Strength. Determination. And
she loves the teamwork. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>“From ever since, I was
considered as a tomboy,” says Charlette, who was interested in football at
first. When that didn’t work out, she fell in love with hockey. It has been her
route to empowerment.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":8001} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/charlette-rowe-CCC-20190907.jpg" alt="Charlette Rowe holds the Jamaican flag before departing to China last Friday. " class="wp-image-8001" /><figcaption>Charlette Rowe holds the Jamaican flag before departing to China last Friday. </figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Besides which, she says:
“God have mi back!” Her church is a “good support system,” she adds, helping
with school and examination fees. She’s grateful. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Now that she has reached
this far and is poised for a new chapter in her life, she has some advice for
youth who are feeling trapped by circumstances. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Don’t make excuses!</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>“You have to want something
for yourself. Do your thing, your craft, in a positive way. Don’t succumb to
your environment,” she said. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->