HAMILTON, Bermuda —There is something infectious in the air.

No, it is not an epidemic; it is something much better. It’s an air of desire for success that is wafting through the ranks of Jamaica’s football.

While the country celebrates the Reggae Boyz’ consecutive progression to the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament in the United States, the young Reggae Girlz here, as well as those at the Beach Football Tournament in The Bahamas, are also celebrating.

The contagious winning attitude of the highly motivated senior Reggae Boyz team, who are currently unbeaten heading into today’s semi-final contest against defending champions Mexico, has spilled over to the Under-20 players and technical staff here in the Northern Atlantic Ocean.

You could feel the joy and pride at the team’s Grotto Bay Beach Hotel following the Boyz’ 2-1 quarter-final win over Canada on Thursday night and you could sense that something big was to come from the beaming Girlz.

They mauled Curacao 10-0 in their opening Caribbean CONCACAF Women’s Championship Group B qualifiers on Friday, while at the same time, the beach football team ran past Turks and Caicos Islands 11-2 to progress to the final.

With the future of Jamaica’s football, especially the women’s programme, being heavily reliant on the success of the senior men’s team, the impact of this Gold Cup feat is welcome by all stakeholders.

Garfield Fuller, head of delegation for the Girlz team in Bermuda, pointed out that regardless of the outcome against Mexico in a repeat of their first-round clash and a repeat of the 2015 final today, the Theodore Whitmore-coached Reggae Boyz have already accomplished a lot.

“The Boyz have done tremendously well so far and I must say hats off to coach Theodore Whitmore for firstly believing in the talent pool that he has at his disposal, and this achievement is one that we Jamaicans should be proud and grateful for,” Fuller told the Jamaica Observer.

The feat, he thinks, is special due to the fact that the current team is more local-centred with the addition of a few Major League Soccer (MLS) players, as opposed to the more formidable 2015 team that was lined with English-based professionals.

“In fact, it was a brave move to work with those (local) players and they have made him proud. he believed in them and they have justly rewarded him and continue to reward him. For me it’s a win-win so far, regardless of future results and I am very proud of coach Whitmore and I hope corporate Jamaica will continue to give him the support because I think the future looks bright again for Jamaica’s football,” Fuller opined.

Interim head coach of the Under-20 Girls, Xavier Gilbert concurs.

“It is really a tremendous achievement to make it to the semi-finals again, especially with the squad that we have. and I am sure when the team left Jamaica a lot of persons really didn’t think that they would get that far, but commendation must be given to the entire staff.

“That momentum has spilled off on the girls here and the beach football team (who) are doing well. So it’s a good time for the JFF (Jamaica Football Federation) and the teams that are currently in competition, so we must be proud,” said Gilbert.

Meanwhile, Assistant coach Davion Ferguson believes the plans to resuscitate the national programme now seem to be coming to fruition.

“I think credit has to be given to the Boyz and the way they performed; I think the coaching staff has done an excellent job. A lot of people never gave them a chance heading into the tournament, and I am grateful for what they have achieved.

“I think their chances of making another final are as good as any, because game by game the Boyz are improving; and I think what they have achieved thus far is excellent. I would love for them to make it to the final and what I also want to see is for these Boyz to be kept together for a few more years,” Ferguson noted.

For team Under-20 Girlz captain Emily Caza, her male counterparts have been an inspiration.

“Their performances have definitely been inspiring and have set the bar high for me and my teammates, and we are definitely motivated to keep working hard and pushing Jamaica’s football forward. I am hoping they can do well against Mexico again and make it to another final, which would be really great,” the Canadian-based player said.