Level up

THE Professional Women’s Football Jamaica Limited (PWFJL), in collaboration with the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and Concacaf, successfully executed a two-day Capacity Building and Club Licensing Workshop for coaches and administrators, as well as to provide tips for players to secure scholarships.

The workshops were held May 6–7, 2026, at the Courtyard by Marriott in Kingston, with one of the major highlights being a specially curated college recruitment presentation focused on opportunities within the United States and Canadian collegiate systems.

The sessions were designed to equip coaches, administrators, and players with valuable information on the recruitment process, scholarship pathways, player expectations, and the academic and athletic standards required to access overseas opportunities.

Chairperson of Professional Women’s Football Jamaica Limited, Christina Hudson underscored the significance of investing in the people who drive the game forward.

“Creating opportunities for education, exposure, and advancement remains a key priority for us,” she said. “The college recruitment session was extremely impactful because it provided direct access to knowledge and guidance that can help change the trajectory of many young players’ lives, both on and off the field.

“We also extend special thanks to Concacaf and the JFF team for their support and collaboration in assisting the JWPL with the successful execution of this workshop.”

Carlene Edwards, FIFA’s Women’s National Teams Committee member, said the workshop formed part of the continued strategic efforts to strengthen the women’s football ecosystem in Jamaica through education, professional development, and international collaboration.

“It was extremely encouraging to see the level of engagement and collaboration throughout the workshop, particularly as it relates to the continued development of our coaches, administrators, and players within the women’s game,” Edwards told the Jamaica Observer.

“The sessions provided valuable insight into key areas such as club licensing, professional development, and college recruitment pathways — all of which are critical to the long-term growth of the Jamaica Women’s Premier League.”

Presenting on college recruitment were Heather Dyche, head coach of the United States of America Under-23 team and assistant senior coach, along with Mexico’s Under-23 Head Coach Dr Vanessa Martinez Lagunas, also a FIFA Elite coach educator, who provided useful insights for the players.

“There is tremendous talent within the region, and access to the right information and support systems is critical in helping coaches, administrators, and players successfully navigate the college recruitment process,” Dyche said.

“Workshops like these not only provide valuable guidance on opportunities abroad but also help strengthen the overall women’s football ecosystem by building stronger pathways and networks of support for young female athletes,” Lagunas said.

The programme featured a comprehensive series of presentations and practical sessions focused on professional development, club licensing, high-performance coaching methodology, match analysis, and training session planning.

PWFJL’s Chairperson, Marketing and Commercialisation Affairs Committee Carlene Edwards.

Professional Women’s Football Jamaica Limited Chairperson Christine Hudson.

From left: Heather Dyche, FIFA elite coach educator, head coach USA U-23 Women’s Team, assistant coach of the US women’s senior team; Dr Vanessa Martinez Lagunas, FIFA elite coach educator, head coach of Mexico U-23 women’s team; and Tashana Vincent, women’s football development supervisor, Concacaf, during a session at the UWI-JFF Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence on Thursday.