JFF launches 2026-2031 women’s football strategy for Jamaica

The Jamaica Football Federation has formally launched its Women’s Football Strategy 2026-2031, presenting a national plan to widen opportunities for girls and women while building a stronger football structure across Jamaica.

The launch brought together JFF officials, FIFA representatives, coaches, administrators, clubs, sponsors, players, media and other stakeholders. Omar McFarland, the federation’s operations manager, said the plan reflects the JFF’s intention to create better routes for players, coaches, referees, administrators and clubs. He also noted that Jamaica’s senior women’s team was preparing to face Panama later that evening.

FIFA representatives Andreas Portoello and Shannon McMillan attended the event, with McMillan introduced as an Olympic gold medallist and FIFA Women’s World Cup winner with the United States. Portoello said FIFA would continue supporting Jamaica and outlined several programmes now available to the JFF, including women’s football campaigns, league development, club licensing, commercial support, administrator training, coach education and mentorship opportunities.

Carlen Edwards, chairperson of the JFF Projects Committee for the women’s programme, said the strategy is built around four themes: participation, high performance, sustainability and World Cup readiness. She said the federation is targeting a 50 per cent increase in registered female players by 2031, along with 215 licensed female coaches and 120 referees.

The strategy also identifies seven pillars: governance and leadership, grassroots development, competitions and pathways, technical development, national teams, commercial sustainability, and capacity building and welfare. Edwards said the wider aim is to position Jamaica as a global leader in women’s football by 2031.

Panel discussions following the launch highlighted the need for greater visibility, better branding, stronger school and parish structures, wider commercial support and a more professional local environment. Speakers also pointed to the Reggae Girlz, Bunny Shaw and the Jamaica Women’s Premier League as central to inspiring the next generation.