Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Vice-President and Women’s Committee Chairperson Elaine Walker-Brown says she is hoping the revamped Jamaica Women’s Premier League (JWPL) will lead to more local-based players breaking into the Reggae Girlz squad.

The JWPL, which kicks off on March 1, has a new oversight body in the Professional Women’s Football Jamaica Limited (PWFJL), following a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the JFF. Chaired by noted business executive Christina Hudson, the PWFJL will be responsible for the development, marketing and commercialisation of the league.

Eleven teams from around the island have committed to the competition, the highest participation level in over a decade with only seven teams competing in the 2024 campaign.

Since Jamaica’s historic qualification to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, there has been an influx of English-born players representing the team.

However, Walker-Brown wants to see that recruitment drive lessened and more home grown players given the nod in the future with the help of the rebranded JWPL.

“We want to go back to when we qualified in 2018; that was the local girls that qualified us to the World Cup, so we want to see more of our local girls stepping up, stepping out and going into the national senior squad,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

“It’s a great opportunity and the interest in women’s football has grown since the Reggae Girlz qualified, but we have not seen the development as how it ought to be and that’s due to funding so [the league] is a big move, we’re excited and the communities, schools and everybody can see this is an avenue or path they can choose,” added Walker-Brown.

The JWPL, which in previous years was short on funding, has secured almost $11 million in sponsorship with the likes of Sherwin Williams, Wisynco, KFC and Supreme Ventures coming on board with Hummel Jamaica serving as kit sponsors.

Sports Minister Olivia Grange also pledged $8.5 million with $3 million going to the PWFJL and $100,000 per month to the 11 teams for the duration of the season.

Walker-Brown says the players must take the competition seriously, knowing much is at stake.

“We have to speak to the girls and tell them that, on and off the field, they’re ambassadors. There are more eyes, there’s more investment so they have to market themselves and tell these sponsors that they’ve come to the right place,” she said.

“Their behaviour, their attitude, their level of discipline has to be displayed on and off the field. We have that job to do. It’s more than just playing; it’s holistic. We have work to do with the teams and some of the young ladies to ensure that they know they are a part of the marketing to ensure we sustain this.”

The 11 teams in this year’s competition are defending champions Frazsier’s Whip, Arnett Gardens, Cavalier, UWI, Wifi United, Proven Girls, Mile Gully, Los Perfectos, Federal United, Springers United and Real Mobay.