Women’s league on target for November restart
Published:Monday | October 10, 2022 | 12:09 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
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After close to five years without a national women’s football competition, top-flight domestic female football is on track to make a return to the local football calendar next month, says Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) technical committee...
After close to five years without a national women’s football competition, top-flight domestic female football is on track to make a return to the local football calendar next month, says Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) technical committee chairman Rudolph Speid.
According to Speid, the 10 teams down to participate have already been selected and have or are in the process of completing their registrations.
He noted that the fixtures are also near completion and that the starting date and format of the tournament will be announce by the end of this month.
“The teams have been selected already, so things are on track for the playing of the league. I do not see any disappointments this time. The league will be played,” he stated. “The league is scheduled to start in November, but the exact date has not been finalised.”
He noted that of the 10 teams, eight have the experience of playing in the league, and he does not anticipate many hiccups.
Nevertheless, assistance will be provided to help the clubs make a smooth return to competition.
While revealing that there are only two new clubs, Speid said all teams must display a certain level of quality. He added that approximately half of the teams are Premier League clubs and the others are clubs with good pedigree that were in the women’s league before.
“Also, FIFA has allocated funds for the league, so there is something to help the teams. Of course, it is going to cost us more, and we are still trying to get some sponsorship.
“But we are prepared. We have been having regular meetings, and the reality is we are going to have the league,” he reaffirmed.
Speid insisted that they are doing everything to make the quality of play better than before. Teams will have to play at venues approved by the federation as the governing body intends to, in the area of venues, match the level of the local men’s Premier League.
“We need good venues because we definitely want to lift the profile of the women’s game. Venues have to be passed, and we are trying to bring the standard up to the same as the men in regards to bathrooms, stands, changing rooms, and those type of things,” he disclosed.
He added that the aim is to make the league professional by 2025, and he believes that they are right on target to achieve that objective.
“There are also plans for the women to have their own organisatio so they can go out and seek their own sponsorship. It is a separate structure that we are trying to create. We are hoping that women can start getting money to play football even if it’s small,” he added.