GUYANA’S top-flight clubs will all field teams in a revamped Women’s Division One League for the first time, in a significant strategic move by the country’s football federation to bolster the female game.

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has announced that all ten of its elite league clubs will participate in the upcoming season. The prize fund will be significantly increased to $3.7m.

The initiative is a crucial step towards preparing a competitive national team for the Concacaf W Championship qualifiers in October and November, which serve as a pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

The league, which commences on August 1, will be played in a 9v9 format over a single round, a change designed to create more intense and competitive matches.

GFF Technical Director Bryan Joseph said the new structure is vital for player development.

“This is a crucial part of our preparation framework,” Joseph stated. “The current format aims to give local players the necessary exposure and competition to prepare them for international tournaments.”

To ensure all ten clubs are competitive, a loan system and a national player draft will be implemented. This will allow clubs without established female programmes to strengthen their squads.

Defending champions Guyana Defence Force and rivals Guyana Police Force have already committed to entering players into the draft pool.

The ten competing clubs are Slingerz FC, Western Tigers FC, Guyana Police Force FC, Guyana Defence Force FC, Santos FC, Monedderlust FC, Fruta Conquerors FC, Ann’s Grove FC, Den Amstel FC, and Mainstay FC.

The GFF, in partnership with the Guyana Women’s Football Association (GWFA), has substantially increased the financial incentives. The league champions will receive $1m.

A separate cup competition will also offer a $300,000 winner’s prize. Additionally, every participating club will receive a $100,000 grant for training expenses.

GFF Third Vice-President Dion Innis confirmed that FIFA has provided significant financial support for the league, contributing G$9.5m.

Innis also credited the FIFA Football For Schools Programme and the Blue Water Shipping Girls U-15 tournament for creating a stronger foundation for women’s football in the nation by increasing the number of trained female coaches and nurturing young talent.