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JFF targeting May deadline to finalise Girlz camp, games

Published:Monday | May 16, 2022 | 12:05 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
Reggae Girl Khadija Shaw (centre) in action during a training session at the Stadium East field in February.
Reggae Girl Khadija Shaw (centre) in action during a training session at the Stadium East field in February.
JFF General Secretary Dalton Wint
JFF General Secretary Dalton Wint
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With the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) giving national senior interim head coach Vin Blaine the vote of confidence to continue, General Secretary Dalton Wint says that they are resuming finalising details for training camps and international friendlies in their preparation for the final round of the Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

The JFF retained Blaine on the recommendation of the technical committee after the players sent an 18-point letter to the JFF requesting the removal of Blaine five months into his tenure. The letter pointed to issues with coaching, communication, and organisation.

The JFF did not remove Blaine from his post, and with the coaching situation decided by the federation, Wint says that they are hoping to finalise details about the camp by the end of the month.

“We are at a stage where we need to (finalise things) for the girls. So we will give ourselves a maximum of two weeks to see if we’re able to tie down the requirements that we need for these camps,” Wint told The Gleaner. Wint says that the process has not been without challenges as they are still hoping to secure the required sponsorship for their plans. The Reggae Girlz Foundation has established an online fundraiser targeting US$30,000 (approximately J$4.6 million) of which over US$2,000 (J$310,320) has been collected.

When asked if the coaching situation affected their push for sponsorship, Wint said: “I don’t know if it was because of uncertainty, but the fact is that we are still having some difficulties in getting sponsorship for the Girlz, but we are trying to see how best we can put things in place for them.”

It is that commitment that was emphasised in their decision to continue with Blaine, saying in a release that a coaching change at this time so close to the final round, which starts in July, “would not be prudent”.

“The JFF pledges as the body responsible for football in Jamaica to put everything in place within its powers to ensure the team is comfortable and can perform at their optimum to achieve Jamaica’s consecutive qualification to the FIFA Women’s World Cup,” the JFF said in a release last Tuesday.

The June international window (June 20-28) would be the only available slot to have games to prepare for the final round as Wint says any camp would need to have the full complement of players available as they try to find the best balance between those with their season’s concluding in England and those who are playing in the United States who are in the middle of their campaigns.

daniel.wheeler@gleanerjm.com