VIN Blaine, head coach of Jamaica’s Under-17 Women’s footballers, has significantly strengthened the team with the inclusion of at least five new members based overseas.

Following a one-week training camp in early April in which they played two practice games, Blaine was impressed with the five new additions — four from Canada and one from the United States.

Courtney Douglas, Cachet Lue, Myjnairii Perkin, Oshay Lawes — all Canadian-based — and Kayla Gray of the USA, made the cut and should be returning for the final camp before the squad is selected for the Guatemala trip.

“We had a one-week camp and we brought in some overseas players to look at them from April 5-9. We have six new ones that came and only one didn’t made it,” Blaine told the Jamaica Observer.

“Two central defenders, two wing-backs and two forwards cover all four areas of the team. We have shored up some positions,” Blaine said.

“We now have players that have good height and good ability that can enhance the team. All will be returning on the 23rd,” he added.

Jamaica finished second to T&T in the final Caribbean qualifying round hosted in Jamaica and 11 local-based players were retained so far for the final camp which starts on April 23, after which the final travelling squad will be named.

These players are Chris-Ann Chambers (Wolmer’s), Shantel Bailey (Charlie Smith High), Tiffany Robinson, Nicole Broderick, Imanie Richards (Excelsior High School), Georgia Bailey, Khadija Shaw (St Jago High School), Shantell Thompson, Remona Hyde, Shanay Ricketts (Lennon High School) and Nasheka Doyley (STETHS).

“We have retained 11 players from the last CFU round, and are back up by seven overseas players, six from Canada and one from USA,” said Blaine.

The young Reggae Girls are currently in their final stage of preparations for the CONCACAF qualifying round set for May 2-6 in Guatemala City, Guatemala.

Jamaica are drawn in Group A alongside hosts Guatemala, defending champions Canada and Panama. Group B consists of USA, Mexico, Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago.

The FIFA Under-17 World Cup Finals is scheduled for September 2012 in Azerbaijan, with three positions available to CONCACAF.

Jamaica will open the qualifying tournament against Guatemala on May 2 before taking on CONCACAF powerhouses Canada on May 4. They complete their first-round fixtures against Panama on May 6.

Blaine, who has led several Jamaican female teams into battle, is fairly satisfied with the preparations heading into yet another qualifying campaign.

“Not a hundred per cent, but I’m fairly satisfied. We have some training sessions from the 23rd and it will give us the opportunity to get in some tactical work before we make the final cut,” he told the Observer.

Jamaica’s main threat in Group A will be Canada, and with six overseas-based Jamaicans learning their trade in that country, Blaine is optimistic they will rise to the occasions when the time comes.