By Cherisse Moe, HER Magazine
They say behind every successful man stands a strong woman, but Jenna Pollard and Alyssa Miguel-Pooran are so much more.
Alyssa Miguel-Pooran
As the wives of West Indies cricket stars Kieron Pollard and Nicholas Pooran, they are not just glamourous figures on the side-lines. Behind every match, victory, and challenge, these women are the anchors, holding everything together. As mothers, businesswomen, and pillars of strength for their families, their journeys are marked by love, sacrifice, and an unshakable support that fuels their husbands’ success.
Jenna and Kieron’s love story began nearly two decades ago; perhaps destined by their shared passion for cricket. “When cricket was on TV, it was like the news,” recalls Jenna, 37. “We couldn’t play or make noise while a game was on. Little did I know I’d marry into cricket and now our son Kaiden loves it too and plays cricket for his school.”
Their paths first crossed at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, where Jenna, a Diego Martin Government Secondary School alumna, was working as an usher for a cricket series. She attended the games with her father, an avid cricket fan. A mutual friend, Maria, introduced her to Kieron Pollard, who was also watching the game.
“He visited me quite a few times each day,” Jenna shares. Though she didn’t feel an immediate spark, she is quick to point out that Kieron, who waited until the last day of the series to ask for her number, remembers things a little differently. “Because I said, ‘I thought you’d never ask,’ he tells everyone to this day I was interested first…After years of him debating that, I can admit to being attracted to him after a few conversations at cricket, mainly because his approach was subtle and respectful, and maybe his height too!”
Fast forward to 2010, and Kieron proposed on Christmas Day, catching everyone, including Jenna by surprise. “Nobody knew! It was really special.” Now after 12 years of marriage and three children, Jenna can only laugh when asked if she ever imagined a life of luxury, jet-setting as a cricketer’s wife.
“I did not envision this particular life for myself, but I won’t change a thing!”
Similarly, Alyssa and Nicholas’ romance blossomed in a cricket setting. They met through mutual friends at the Oval. Their connection was undeniable. Despite the initial skepticism about dating at the time, Nicholas, four years her junior, was persistent and soon his charm won her over.
“I think when you find your person you just know it,” she tells Her Magazine. “Not to sound cliche, he did tell me that for him, it was love at first sight; and the rest was history!”
After a decade together and three years of marriage, Alyssa, a former Holy Faith Convent student who also played cricket during her school days, reflects on their journey.
“Married life is tough but rewarding. No marriage is perfect. In order for it to work, you must put God at the centre. We believe that every situation, good or bad, requires us to have continued gratitude and faith in God,” she notes. “A key ingredient to our marriage is operating as a team, and communication. What also works for us is knowing and loving each other in our respective love languages.”
Jenna agrees.
The constant travel and whirlwind of events can be overwhelming. Keeping the love alive takes intentional work. “Hard work,” she admits. “But with God as our main pillar, learning and respecting each other’s flaws, growing together and choosing peace, allows us to bring out the best in each other.”
Over time, Jenna and Alyssa have formed a special bond built on mutual support and understanding as they navigate this unique journey together. For Jenna, who manages several businesses with her husband – including a supermarket and real estate investments – becoming a stay-at-home mom was a conscious choice.
“At first, I’d sometimes think about life with a career of my own, but I didn’t dwell on it,” she recalls. “Kieron’s career required him to be away the majority of the year, so this balance was key to keeping our family together. I’m big on family. Having me present with the kids when their dad is away for work, and being able to travel with them to spend time with their dad was important.”
Alyssa, too, embraced being a stay-at-home mom. A former Risk Management Senior Associate, she stays busy supervising the family’s business investments and raising her daughter Alayra, who is almost two. “Being a mom is a full-time job, but it’s a blessing,” she tells Her. “It has brought out a level of strength in me I didn’t know I possessed.”
Despite the glamourous veneer of being cricket wives, both Alyssa and Jenna prioritise authenticity and emphasise the importance of staying grounded.
“I’m definitely introverted,” Jenna shares. “Kieron’s a bit more in between, given his profession, but we both enjoy the simple things in life. We live our lives quite normal and encourage this lifestyle with our kids.”
A self-proclaimed ambivert, Alyssa, 33, admits she’s still adjusting to the spotlight. “Recently Nicholas asked me to collect an award on his behalf. I got butterflies in anticipation of his name being announced,” she recalls, laughing. “I had to stay calm, positive and present in the moment to remove any fear and embrace the situation.”
Being married to popular cricketers also means that their wives are emotionally invested in all their matches.
“I still get nervous watching Kieron play,” Jenna confesses.
“I know how hard he works and how much he wants to do well every match, I want the best from him too. Even though it’s not possible to do well every single match, it’s what pushes him to always strive for better and what moulded him into who he is today.”
Alyssa stresses the importance of not letting the pressures of the game affect their marriage. “The highs and lows can sometimes become mentally taxing and overall stressful. I try my best to be a strong source of support by just being his partner. “In those tough moments, just being present without having much to say is all he needs.”
And when it comes to public scrutiny and the inevitable social media trolls, both women have learned to rise above. “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, whether we agree with it or not,” Alyssa says, nonchalantly. “That’s the beauty about sports and why we love the game.”
In the Pollard and Pooran households, life may revolve around cricket but at the end of the day, it’s family, love and faith that keep everything together.
