JAMAICA has been selected by FIFA to be included in its Talent Coach Programme. Jamaica was chosen from the one hundred and fifty-eight FIFA Member Associations who applied.

As part of the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS), FIFA is rolling out the Talent Coach Programme to actively assist Member Associations (MAs) with support on the ground.
Under the umbrella of the TDS, this initiative aims to accelerate elite youth player development by increasing contact time for the most talented players of a country and guiding, advising and mentoring the local coaches who are working directly with those players.

FIFA will fund the Head of the local National Academy, Dan Cooke, for two years as well as the Talent Coach Project.
This is a major milestone for Jamaica’s football as they aim to revamp their youth national programme.
The National Academy will accommodate boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 16 years of age.

“I’m extremely happy about this development,” said John Wall, Head of Talent Identification at the Jamaica Football Federation.
“What this means is that we can create the best possible environment to generate improvement. I hope we can set a new benchmark on how to develop our domestic talent and create the best possible environment for both boys and girls. Our aim is to create an environment that nurtures future Champions League winners and World Cup winners. It’s about time that Jamaica begins to fulfil its potential,” concluded Wall.

The JFF is currently going through a rigorous talent identification process which will continue until the end of December. (Sportsmax)