View source for Jamaica Football Federation

{{Short description|Governing body of football in Jamaica}}
{{Use Jamaican English|date=April 2023}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2014}}
{{Infobox football association
| Logo                  = Jamaica Football Federation.svg
|  Badge_size           = x200px
| Founded               = {{start date and age|1910}} 
| Headquarters          = [[Kingston, Jamaica|Kingston]], Jamaica
| FIFA affiliation      = 1962
| Region                = [[CONCACAF]]
| Region affiliation    = 1963<ref>{{cite web|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/jm/kingston/kingston/kingston-gleaner/1963/03-15/page-15|title=Abrahams, Hill off to soccer meet today|date=15 March 1963|publisher=[[Kingston Gleaner]] in newspaperarchive.com}}<br>"Jamaica under the sponsorship of Haiti and the Antilles gained membership last month."</ref>
| Subregion             = [[Caribbean Football Union]]
| Subregion affiliation = 
| President             = [[Michael Ricketts]]
| Website               = {{URL|https://jff.football}}
}}

The '''Jamaica Football Federation''' ('''JFF''') is the governing body of football in [[Jamaica]] and is in charge of the [[Jamaica national football team]] and the [[Jamaican football league system]], including the [[Jamaica Premier League]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/Jamaica-s-massive-football-task_16886076 |title= Jamaica's massive football task – Editorial |work= Jamaica Observer |access-date= 7 November 2014 |archive-date= 22 August 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210822083614/https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/Jamaica-s-massive-football-task_16886076 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

== History ==
=== Early history (1893–1962) ===
According to the JFF, the Football Association was formed in 1910 and controlled all games in Jamaica.<ref name="FascinationJamaica2">{{cite web|url=http://jamaica-gleaner.com/pages/history/story0077.html|title=A fascination with football|last=Tortello|first=Rebecca|publisher=Jamaica Glenaer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103162120/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/pages/history/story0077.html|archive-date=3 November 2013|url-status=dead|access-date=29 May 2019}}</ref> In 1925, Jamaica's [[Jamaica national football team|national team]] had its first international match against [[Haiti national football team|Haiti]] and won all three games 1–0, 2–1, and 3–0.<ref name="FascinationJamaica2" /> In 1926, Jamaica hosted Haiti at [[Sabina Park]] and won 6–0.<ref name="FascinationJamaica2" /><ref name="JamaicaMatches2">{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesj/jam-intres.html|title=Jamaica - List of International Matches|last=Courtney|first=Barrie|date=6 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117042003/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesj/jam-intres.html|archive-date=17 January 2011|website=[[RSSSF]]|url-status=live|access-date=29 May 2019}}</ref> The Haitians remained frequent opponents, and it was not until 1932 that their run of defeats was broken with a 4–1 home win in [[Port-au-Prince]].<ref name="JamaicaHistory2">{{cite web|url=http://www.thereggaeboyz.com/history.htm|title=History of Jamaica's Football|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923065855/http://www.thereggaeboyz.com/history.htm|archive-date=23 September 2018|url-status=live|access-date=24 July 2019}}</ref>

From 1925 to 1962, Jamaica had regular games with teams from [[Trinidad and Tobago national football team|Trinidad and Tobago]], Haiti, and [[Cuba national football team|Cuba]], as well as with clubs like the Haitian [[Racing CH]] and [[Violette AC]], the British [[Corinthian F.C.|Corinthians]], and the Argentinean [[Club Atlético Tigre|Tigers]].<ref name="FascinationJamaica2"/><ref name="JamaicaMatches2"/> Many of the games were played at Sabina Park and many clubs were established, including Melbourne, Kingston, Kensington, Lucas and St George's Old Boys.<ref name="FascinationJamaica2" /> In 1952, the Caribbean All-Star team was formed with players from Trinidad, Cuba, Haiti, and Suriname. The team played four matches against Jamaica in Sabina Park. Jamaica won the second game 2–1 and the fourth 1–0, and the All-Stars won the first game 5–1 and the third 1–0.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesj/jamcas52.html|title=Jamaica vs Caribbean All Stars 1952|last=Courtney|first=Barrie|date=8 August 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304080750/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesj/jamcas52.html|archive-date=4 March 2016|website=[[RSSSF]]|url-status=live|access-date=29 May 2019}}</ref> Noted Jamaican players included [[Lindy Delapenha]] and [[Gil Heron|Gillie Heron]].<ref name="FascinationJamaica2" />

=== Post-independence (1962 onward) ===
{{Cleanup|date=July 2019|reason=unsourced content, grammar, wording, and flow. See talk page.|section}}

In 1965, under the leadership of Brazilian coach Jorge Penna, Jamaica made its first attempt at [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] qualifying. This was for the 1966 World Cup finals in England. The preliminary group included Cuba, the [[Netherlands Antilles]], and Jamaica. Jamaica's first game was against Cuba which they won 2–0 at [[Independence Park (Jamaica)|Jamaica's National Stadium]]. In the qualifying match against the Netherlands Antilles, Jamaica also had a 2–0 victory with both goals coming. In the away games Jamaica was held to a goalless draw with the Netherlands Antilles and suffered a 2–1 defeat to Cuba. Jamaica then advanced to the final group of three, which included Costa Rica and Mexico. The winner of this group would represent the [[CONCACAF]] region. Jamaica lost at home to Mexico 3–2 and in the return leg in [[Mexico City]] the high altitude proved too much for Jamaica and they were defeated 8–0. Jamaica lost 7–0 to Costa Rica in their inaugural encounter and had a 1–1 tie when they played at home.

In 1968, George Hamilton was the new coach when Jamaica attempted to qualify for the [[1970 FIFA World Cup]] in Mexico.<ref name=" JamaicaHistory3">{{cite web|url=http://www.thereggaeboyz.com/history.htm|title=History of Jamaica's Football|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923065855/http://www.thereggaeboyz.com/history.htm|archive-date=23 September 2018|url-status=live|access-date=30 May 2019}}</ref> Jamaica had only a few remaining players from its previous World Cup team and had to rebuild because most of its players had retired or migrated abroad.<ref name="JamaicaHistory3" /> Jamaica lost all of its qualifying games in that year.<ref name="JamaicaHistory3" />

Jamaica's participation in the 1974 World Cup elimination saw the suspension of 17 players on the team because of poor behaviour on a tour to Bermuda. Jamaica withdrew from the elimination in order to restructure their team.

The 1978 World Cup in Argentina saw Jamaica playing Cuba and losing 3–1 at the [[Independence Park (Jamaica)|National Stadium]] and then 2–0 in [[Havana]], Cuba. Jamaica did not qualify.

In 1982 Jamaica did not make an attempt for the World Cup Final set in Spain due to insufficient funds and a poorly prepared team. Jamaica did not participate in the 1986 World Cup because of suspension for affiliation fees that were due to [[FIFA]].

In preparation for the 1990 World Cup with coach Jeffery Maxwell, Jamaica won both preliminary games against Puerto Rico 1–0 in Jamaica and 2–0 at Puerto Rico. The US were the next opponents and was held to a goalless draw. The return leg in the US saw Jamaica losing 5–1, bringing an end to their qualifying attempt.

The United States hosted the World Cup 1994. In qualifying, Jamaica beat Puerto Rico 2–1 and was then faced with Bermuda, Canada, and El Salvador from which two teams would advance to the final round. Jamaica tied 1–1 with Canada and Bermuda and then lost 2–0 to El Salvador, 1–0 to Canada, 2–1 to El Salvador. Jamaica then beat Bermuda 3–2 but did not qualify.

Under Brazilian Professor [[Renê Simões]] and National coach [[Carl Brown (footballer)|Carl Brown]],  Jamaica became a powerhouse in the Caribbean region and received the "Best Mover" award by FIFA in 1996.

Jamaica was the debut English-speaking Caribbean region country to qualify for the World Cup finals in 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world_cup_98/teams/jamaica/features/82457.stm |title=& Sport &#124; World Cup 98 &#124; Features &#124; Jamaica - background |publisher=BBC News |date=1998-05-03 |access-date=2012-08-22}}</ref>

== Presidents ==
{{unreferenced section|date=March 2020}}
# Ronald Gordon (1965–1967)
# George Abrahams CBE. (1967–1973)
# B. "Tino" Barvier (1973–1975)
# Locksley Comrie (1975–1977)
# Patrick Anderson (1977–1979)
# Lincoln Sutherland (1979–1981)
# Hugh Perry (1981–1983)
# Dr. Winston Dawes (1983–1985)
# Anthony James (1985–1992)
# Heron Dale (1992–1994)
# [[Captain Horace Burrell]] (1994–2003)
# Creston Boxhill (2003-2007)
# [[Captain Horace Burrell]] (2007–2017)
# [[Michael Ricketts (football administrator)|Michael Ricketts]]  (September 2017–)

=== Association staff ===

{| class="wikitable"
!Name
!Position
!Source
|-
|{{flagicon|Jamaica}} [[Michael Ricketts (football administrator)|Michael Ricketts]]
|President
|<ref name="FIFA.com">{{Cite web|last=FIFA.com|title=Member Association - Jamaica |url=https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/associations/JAM|access-date=2021-06-17|website=www.fifa.com|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="JAMAICA">{{Cite web|date=2021-03-07|title=JAMAICA|url=https://www.concacaf.com/inside-concacaf/member-associations/jamaica/|access-date=2021-06-17|website=Concacaf}}</ref>
|-
|{{flagicon|Jamaica}} [[Raymond Anderson (sports executive)|Raymond Anderson]]
|Vice President
|<ref name="FIFA.com"/>
|-
|{{flagicon|Jamaica}} [[Bruce Gaynor]]
|2nd Vice President
|<ref name="FIFA.com"/>
|-
|{{flagicon|England}} [[Peter Reid]]
|3rd Vice President
|<ref name="FIFA.com"/>
|-
|{{flagicon|Jamaica}} [[Dalton Wint]]
|General Secretary
|<ref name="FIFA.com"/><ref name="JAMAICA"/>
|-
|{{flagicon|Jamaica}} [[Courtney Jackson]]
|Treasurer
|<ref name="FIFA.com"/>
|-
|{{flagicon|Jamaica}} [[Wendell Downswell]]
|Technical Director
|<ref name="FIFA.com"/>
|-
|[[Steve McClaren]]
|Team Coach (Men's)
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=STEVE McCLAREN HAS BEEN APPOINTED AS HEAD COACH OF THE REGGAE BOYZ – Jamaica Football Federation |url=https://jff.football/steve-mcclaren-has-been-appointed-as-head-coach-of-the-reggae-boyz/#flipbook-df_5119/23/ |access-date=2024-09-05 |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|{{flagicon|Jamaica}} [[Lorne Donaldson]]
|Team Coach (Women's)
|<ref name="FIFA.com"/>
|-
|{{flagicon|Jamaica}} [[Simon Preston (sports executive)|Simon Preston]]
|Media/Communications Manager
|<ref name="FIFA.com"/>
|-
|{{flagicon|Jamaica}} [[Wayne Shaw (fustal coordinator)|Wayne Shaw]]
|Futsal Coordinator
|<ref name="FIFA.com"/>
|-
|{{flagicon|Jamaica}} [[Victor Stewart]]
|Referee Coordinator
|<ref name="FIFA.com"/>
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070623220244/http://www.fifa.com/associations/association=jam/index.html Jamaica] at the FIFA website
* [https://www.concacaf.com/inside-concacaf/member-associations/jamaica/ Jamaica] at CONCACAF site

{{Football in Jamaica}}
{{CONCACAF associations}}
{{International football}}
{{Sports governing bodies in Jamaica}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jamaica Football Federation}}
[[Category:1910 establishments in Jamaica]]
[[Category:Sports organizations established in 1910]]
[[Category:National members of CONCACAF]]
[[Category:Football in Jamaica]]
[[Category:Sports governing bodies in Jamaica|Football]]
[[Category:Association football governing bodies in the Caribbean]]