JFF sets things in motion for Girlz in World Cup

The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) is promising local fans that the Reggae Girlz will be a well-oiled machine ready to compete by the time the FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off in New Zealand and Australia next summer.

Already, strategic moves have been made and several more are lined up before the start of the quadrennial competition, including the Reggae Girlz playing friendly internationals in every FIFA window.

According to JFF President Michael Ricketts, the JFF’s technical team has been leading the process, with coach Lorne Donaldson already scouting training venues/camps, hotels and stadiums that will also make the Girlz comfortable during their stay at the World Cup.

“It’s all part of the process of ensuring that we give the Girlz the best opportunity to execute on the field. We will be looking for as many practice games as is possible,” Ricketts said. The two-match friendly international series against Paraguay, which ended at the National Stadium yesterday, is part of that process.

HIGHEST LEVEL

“We want to look at similar exercises to ensure that the girls are properly prepared, that they are exposed at the highest level. We really want to get some high-quality games from here to World Cup in the summer of next year.

“We asked the coach to give us an idea of the teams that he thinks could give him the requisite exposure, so that the girls will be very comfortable when the World Cup comes around,” Ricketts continued.

Coach Donaldson used the draw in New Zealand in October to scout possibilities for various aspects of the Girlz’ stay at the World Cup and was pleased with the offering that Melbourne possesses, especially the hotels and football fields.

He, however, believes that FIFA will have to improve the quality of the fields to make them suitable for the World Cup, but contends that the venue’s familiarity could be a factor in the decision to where the Reggae Girlz camp, especially with their final match being in Melbourne.

PREPARATION

“If we could get a place in Melbourne, where we can continue our preparation, I think Melbourne has the nod right now,” Donaldson said.

“The pitches are good regulation size and good-quality fields and, obviously, FIFA is going to spend some money to upgrade some of these pitches to make them the best that they can be.

“It’s going to be a lot of flying. It doesn’t matter if we stay in Melbourne or Sydney, but the last game could be the deciding factor. And I think a home base is always good when you know you are sleeping in the bed that you are used to sleep in and the last game is there. So hopefully, again, if we can get a place in Melbourne, we will look at it very closely,” Donaldson said.

Administratively, Dennis Chung believes his role as general secretary of the JFF will make the Girlz’ assignments on the pitches better by tackling the tasks of logistics and organising the local practice matches, while also securing sponsorship for the financial aspects of their World Cup thrust.

According to Ricketts, the plan is that the work that is being put in before the World Cup translates to the Girlz being impactful on the football pitches of Australia and New Zealand.

“We are giving it the best shot possible, and we’re just hoping that we’ll get some good and positive results,” Ricketts concluded.