Raheem Sterling may well be one of England’s star players, a point highlighted by his performances at Euro 2020, but the influence of the nation of his birth should never be underestimated. For Sterling, Jamaica will always be a special place, a fact New Balance were only too happy to focus on for the 29-year old’s latest signature boot.
Having signed a deal with the brand earlier this year, New Balance have been quick to show the love to their new star asset, following up a custom paint job that celebrated England’s progression in the group stages at Euro 2020 up with not one but two specially customised Furon v6+ boots this week. The first was a one-of-a-kind that celebrated Sterling reaching the milestone of 100 Premier League goals, while the latter – a limited release – takes in Sterling’s roots.
For Sterling, who was born in Jamaica’s capital city, Kingston, his homeland is a sanctuary; somewhere he can escape to to get away from the hustle and bustle of his normal life. But more than that, it’s a part of him – he grew up there, moving away at the age of five, but returning regularly, now owning a family home out there. And that word – family – is so important when understanding his connection with the Caribbean island. It’s about a feeling of connection with the land.
In the main, many people may have an almost ‘Sandals’, holiday view of Jamaica. While that is of postcard beauty, it doesn’t do it justice. What do you see when you think of Jamaica?
I think of the rough but also beautiful parts of Jamaica. There’s a lot of hidden gems in Jamaica. I think the one thing that always catches my attention as soon as I’m there is the warmth from the locals and the people who live in the country.
Whatever is going on back in England, that is my recovery and my moment to be grateful for everything I’ve gone through in life; any stresses, the place can take them away and you get that perspective."
What’s that feeling like when you get off the plane and you touch down in Kingston?
It hits you and it feels like a real weight off your shoulders. It feels calm. I can’t wait to put the suitcases down and go and chill out.
What’s the first thing that catches your eyes or senses in general?
When you’re on the plane and you’re about to land, you see all the water, the mountains and beauty that surrounds the island. The scenery is so green and there’s so much nature. That’s what I take in first of all.
What is it like for you when you go there over the course of a few days? What’s on the list of must do’s?
For me, one of the must things is to go to Hellshire Beach to swim. Just to sit there, listen to the waves, get some fried fish and listen to music. That’s what it’s all about.
Seeing friends, family, places – as much as it must be a party, is it an emotional/loving time out there?
It’s not so much emotional, it’s more like, I go there and take it all in. Whatever is going on back in England, that is my recovery and my moment to be grateful for everything I’ve gone through in life; any stresses, the place can take them away and you get that perspective.
Tell us about the party for you out there – it’s gotta be big?
Don’t even get me started. That’s mainly in Kingston for me. Given Covid and everything that hasn’t been possible but when that wasn’t happening, it was all about the venues for me. To be able to go out for food or for a night out in Jamaica, you’re outside, it’s warm and the energy is so good. You feel like you’re always outside, it’s refreshing
To take your family now, your kids, what does it mean to be able to share the experience of Jamaica with them?
Yeah that’s one of the reasons why I’ve got a family home out there. For that very reason. I want my kids to really experience Jamaica. I think the stigma that is out there about Jamaica is the bad press and while there is crime, I want them to see it for what it truly and beautifully is. I want them to experience how amazing the people and the locals are.
My journey is my mum's journey and I’ve tried to keep people and things that have a strong meaning to me, really close and so to have an opportunity to put those things that are close to me on a boot, it’s another great touch. I’m buzzing about these and can’t wait to get them on."
Did you go to Jamaica as a kid after you came to the UK? What was it like to see it through childlike eyes? Can you remember?
I didn’t go back until I was about 15/16. I’ve been back regularly ever since. The first time we went back, we went back to where we lived as kids. It was then that I saw there were people out there living with predicaments and poverty but still smiling. That rubs off on you and it makes you so grateful for everything you have and everything I’m doing over here. I think that energy in itself is what I want to be around. That’s why we go back most summers.
Your mum. Her move to take you to the UK. She sounds like a lady of power - how would you describe her?
She’s determined. She’s driven. I’d say I get my personal determination from her. If she’s doing something or going somewhere, she’s going to do it at full pelt. To make that journey, without knowing where it would lead…that’s what life is about sometimes. You have to take some risks and back yourself. She did that, and I’m truly grateful that she did.
How would you describe being born in Jamaica but living in the uk? Did you have a Jamaican community that you were part of in Brent?
Yeah. A lot of friends I had growing up were Jamaican or had a Jamaican background. The culture is very similar. Our tastes in music and all those things that were around me when growing up, were part of the Brent community.
All these feelings, sentiments and the love for Jamaica bottled into a boot by New Balance – how does it feel to see that?
It’s an amazing feeling. My journey is my mum's journey and I’ve tried to keep people and things that have a strong meaning to me, really close and so to have an opportunity to put those things that are close to me on a boot, it’s another great touch. I’m buzzing about these and can’t wait to get them on.
What does ‘out of many one people’ mean to you personally?
I saw a clip with a guy called ‘White Yardy’ a couple of days ago. When I see him on socials and stuff, I have it in my head, there’s no doubt that he’s Jamaican. He’s white but isn’t defined by that. His love for the island, his roots there, his family being there – in Jamaica you can see such a mixture of cultures. Whether it’s up town or down south, there’s so many cultures. I have Pakistani friends in Jamaica, I have Chinese friends out there – I think that motto is really meaningful for the island because there’s lots of different races out there but in the end, we’re all one people. I have a lot of belief in that motto.
Pick up the New Balance Furon v6+ Sterling 'Jamaica' at prodirectsoccer.com
