Donaldson looking for swift contract resolution
Says Reggae Girlz ranking improvement a good sign for country
Published:Saturday | August 6, 2022 | 12:10 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
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SENIOR REGGAE Girlz coach Lorne Donaldson is hoping that talks to reach an agreement for his long-term service, at least for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, will commence after the holidays. Donaldson, who is in the...
SENIOR REGGAE Girlz coach Lorne Donaldson is hoping that talks to reach an agreement for his long-term service, at least for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, will commence after the holidays.
Donaldson, who is in the island visiting family and enjoying Emancipation and Independence celebrations, said in an earlier conversation he had with Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) boss, Michael Ricketts, they agreed it would be best to sit and talk after the holiday festivities.
However, he would like contractual agreements tied up within the next fortnight, so they can start putting the World Cup preparation programme in place.
“We haven’t even discussed it (contract) as yet. So it’s not near completion. I am in Jamaica right now and I am going to try and meet with the president although I didn’t come down for that.
“I will try to meet with the president sometime after tomorrow (today), after the festivities are over. We will sit and try to come up with something and I will present something to the president and the federation,” he said
He noted that all the coaches want some sort of an agreement reached and his hope is that these talks will be finalised over the next few weeks.
“We hope we can move it very fast. We would like to get it done within the next two weeks. So, if you are talking about moving the programme, we have to get it done by then because realistically, if we have games coming up and it is not done, who knows what is going to happen,” he stated.
Nevertheless, the coaching staff already have an outline of the things they want in place and are just awaiting contractual arrangements to be worked out, so they can get to work.
WAITING ON SOMETHING CONTRACTUAL
“We have an outline, me and the coaches, about what we want to do and what we want to see happening. But we will not present that until we get something contractually done.
“So we are not going to put the carriage before the horse. We will discuss it first and discuss the long term going into the World Cup and if we agree, we can put down a plan on exactly what we are trying to do,” he said.
“I touched base with the president a few days ago and we both agreed that just before the holidays was not a good time because everyone is in a festive mood.
“I have a few days here and I will carve out some time. I will message him and tell him to give me a date and time to discuss what we need to.”
Donaldson guided the Reggae Girlz to their second consecutive World Cup qualification last month in Mexico, which also lifted the team from 51st to a historic 42nd placing in the FIFA world ranking.
Although not too big on FIFA rankings, Donaldson believes it is a positive sign.
“I am not one who goes head over heels about rankings but it serves to show that we are making progress.
“Some people in the ranking, I do not agree with it and I personally do not glorify it, but it is always a positive for the girls and what it does for our women’s football when you move up in it,” he said.