Jamaica’s football may be heading for a new dawn following revelations at a press conference yesterday at the offices of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF). The JFF President, Captain Horace Burrell announced sweeping changes to the coaching staff at various levels before head coach Winfried Schafer outlined his plans for developing the game and the players in the country.
Jamaica’s football may be heading for a new dawn following revelations at a press conference yesterday at the offices of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF). The JFF President, Captain Horace Burrell announced sweeping changes to the coaching staff at various levels before head coach Winfried Schafer outlined his plans for developing the game and the players in the country.
In a surprise move, Miguel Coley, coach of Jamaica College, winners of the Manning Cup and Olivier Shield for 2013-2014 was named assistant coach to Schafer upon request by the German himself. Coley will also be the head coach of the Under-23 team and his assistant will be Jerome Waite who now coaches Arnett Gardens Football Club in the Premier League and Charlie Smith High School in the Manning Cup competition.
Vin Blaine, who was assistant to Schafer for the last part of the failed World Cup campaign to Brazil, has been elevated to the post of Director of Football for Jamaica while another long serving coach Wendell Downswell has been elevated to Youth Coordinator for football.
Theodore Whitmore who was replaced by Schafer as head coach of the senior team last year, will take up the role as head coach of the Under-20 team and he will be assisted by Andrew Edwards. Edwards will also serve as head coach of the Under-17 team, however his assistant is yet to be identified. Aaron Lawrence will be the head coach for the Under-15 team and his assistant will be Cavalier assistant coach Lamar Morgan.
On the female side of things, Merron Gordon, who guided the Under-17 team during the recent World Cup qualifiers in Montego Bay will take over as head coach from Vin Blaine. His assistant will be Tamara Williams who coaches Harbour View in the local Women’s Premier League. Williams will be the first female to be appointed to a national post.
Warren Barrett, who was a part of the only Jamaican team to qualify for a World Cup finals will be the head goalkeeping coach for the Senior team as well as the Under-23 and Under-20 teams. Clive Wedderburn will be the goalkeeping coach for the youth teams, both male and female. Andre Waugh returns as National trainer for the Senior team and Under-23 and Under-20 teams.
Burrell also revealed that all the coaches have been given a four year contract, which is subject to review on an annual basis and will be, more than anything else, performance based.
Local football fans will be hoping that the changes to the coaching staff and approach to the development of the game will result in much improved performances and results for the Reggae Boyz at all levels.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login