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

The Jamaica Football Federation has formally launched its Women’s Football Strategy 2026-2031, setting out a national plan to grow the game for women and girls while positioning Jamaica as a global leader in the sport by 2031.

The launch brought together JFF officials, FIFA representatives, club stakeholders, coaches, administrators, media and members of the women’s football community. JFF operations manager Omar McFarland said the document reflects a shared effort to create better opportunities for players, coaches, referees, administrators and clubs. He also noted that the senior women’s national team was preparing for a friendly against Panama on the same evening.

FIFA representatives Andreas Portoella and Shannon McMillan attended the event, with Portoella saying FIFA would continue supporting Jamaica’s work. He said the strategy now gives the JFF access to several FIFA women’s football development programmes, including support for campaigns, league development, club licensing, commercial planning, administrator training, coach education, mentorship and elite performance.

Carlen Edwards, chairperson of the JFF projects committee for the women’s programme, said the plan comes at a significant moment, with Jamaica aspiring to co-host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2031, approaching 30 years of women’s league football under the JFF, and seeking a third straight FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance in Brazil in 2027.

The strategy is built around four themes: participation, high performance, sustainability and World Cup readiness. Its seven pillars cover governance and leadership, grassroots development, competitions and pathways, technical development, national teams, commercial sustainability, and capacity building and welfare.

By 2031, the JFF is targeting a 50 per cent increase in registered female players, 215 licensed female coaches and 120 referees. The plan also calls for a stronger Women’s Premier League, clearer youth pathways and better structures to support international competitiveness.

During a panel discussion, speakers urged stronger parish-level development, more school and club opportunities, improved branding and wider media visibility. They also stressed that players, coaches, administrators, sponsors and the federation must work together to turn the strategy into action.