THE DISPARITY between the top teams and some of the newer ones in the Jamaica Women’s Premier League (JWPL) and the same scenario playing out in the Inter-Secondary School Sports Association (ISSA) schoolgirl league has been particularly glaring this season.
In a recent JWPL knockout semi-final, Cavalier hammered Rangers of St Mary 22-0, and such results have been quite common this term.
The disparity in quality has not gone unnoticed by football observers, who argue that such a semi-final result was embarrassing and is not a good promotion of the women’s game.
Jamaica Football Federation’s director of football, Wendell Downswell, chairman of its women’s committee, Elaine Walker-Brown, and former national coach, Charles Edwards, believe that the COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on the drop in standard of the local competitions and believe that with time and the right support, balance will be restored.
According to Edwards, the pandemic took a toll, forcing everybody into a state of inactivity. He also noted that some of the more senior and talented players called it a day because of the uncertainty.
He argues that some of the better talent have still not resumed playing.
“Some are frustrated by the fact that the JFF has not created a system where they can get a look in at the national programme. So many do not see a light at the end of the tunnel.
“They are looking for work, trying to get their lives together because one option was taken away, so they’ve focused on another,” he said.
Despite what could be called unsavory results, it is important that the ISSA and JWPL competitions are back on stream, Edwards believes. He also believes that there will be improvement as long as there continues to be developments in coaching and administration.
He noted that teams with longstanding programmes tend to attract the best talent. He pointed to teams like Frazsiers Whip in the JWPL and Excelsior in the schoolgirl league. But new teams are expected to struggle.
“Teams getting promoted always struggle, and in our system, these are not even promoted teams.
“These newly formed clubs just put teams together, and in essence, are getting their feet wet.
“But garnering the experience from now will help them get better programmes and performances down the road.”
He added that going forward, the JFF should focus on improving the women’s league and put aside plans for a Tier Two league for now.
According to Downswell, the performance of Jamaica’s under-17s at the last World Cup qualifiers proves that talent still exists locally. It just needs a helping hand.
“The last under-17 Girlz didn’t qualify, but they performed extremely well and they played without a league.
“What we (JFF) can do to get it up and competitive again. We need quality coaching education and more preparation,” he insisted.
Meanwhile, Walker-Brown contends that bigger teams prey on smaller clubs, robbing them of their best talent and limiting the growth and development of these aspiring clubs.
“Clubs and schools are going around taking the best players from other schools.
“We are trying to develop the sport across the board, and no one entity is more important than another.
“Whenever they see a player doing well, they should let them stay at their school or club and continue to develop.
“Some of these teams take some very good players who could be getting vital experience and have them on the bench. So they need to give the schools and clubs some time to develop.”
She added that the JFF is trying to aid the development of the players and clubs, but resources remain a big obstacle, and they must also play their part.
“We need the young ladies and the management staff to operate in a professional manner that attracts corporate Jamaica.
“Some schools and clubs are young and are just testing the water. They are enthused by what is happening with women’s football, and we at the JFF are trying to help.
“Clubs like Springers and Vere are trying and getting there, and as long as they have the resources, they will make that progress.”