President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Michael Ricketts has described the recent appointment of three Jamaicans to FIFA’s standing committees as a proud moment for the nation and a reflection of the growing respect for local football administrators on the world stage.

Ricketts, who was named deputy chairperson of FIFA’s Grassroots and Amateur Football Committee, will be joined by Rudolph Speid, head of the JFF’s Technical Committee, and Carlene Edwards, marketing and communications specialist, on key FIFA panels.

A transformative figure among Jamaican coaches, Speid, technical advisor to Reggae Boyz Head Coach Steve McClaren and head of local standouts Cavalier FC, will serve on the Technical Development Committee, while Edwards was appointed to the Women’s National Team Competitions Committee.

Edwards, a senior manager at JN Group, is the chairperson of the JFF’s First Instance body, which is charged with guiding the licensing process for local top-flight clubs and also serves as chair of the Marketing and Commercialisation Affairs Committee for Professional Women’s Football Jamaica Limited — organisers of the Jamaica Women’s Premier League.

The JFF boss said the news was relayed to him directly by the FIFA General Secretary Mattias Grafstrom, following a FIFA Council meeting last Thursday.

“After the meeting, I got a call from the general secretary at FIFA, and he was very elated and excited in advising me that three Jamaicans were actually on different standing committees coming out of that council meeting,” Ricketts told the Jamaica Observer.

He noted that Edwards’ inclusion, in particular, underscores the value of Jamaica’s administrative contributions beyond the playing field.

“Carlene’s name might not resonate so readily with football, but behind the scenes she has done a lot of work, especially as it relates to club licensing — not just in Jamaica but across the Caribbean. She is well known for doing a lot of positive work in football,” Ricketts explained.

“She’s also involved with the structure that mirrors the PFJL on the women’s side, so she works very closely with the women’s programme as well.”

Ricketts expressed gratitude to his colleagues within the JFF, saying the appointments were the result of a collective effort to strengthen the country’s football operations. He also added that the new roles provide an opportunity to forge closer connections with the sport’s global leadership.

“This is not through the work that I would have done, but certainly collectively, all the directors, parish presidents, general secretary and staff members, who have helped ensure this level of positiveness around Jamaica’s football,” he said.

“We will be sitting with the big names at FIFA, and that gives us an opportunity to relate to these people face to face. We must understand that we ought to reach out for whatever assistance is available — for our country, the Caribbean, and globally — because this is a global assignment. You are representing the entire world,” he said.

The JFF president, who was recently asked to chair a football development committee within the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), said both developments signal growing trust in Jamaica’s leadership within the sport.

“A few weeks ago, I was asked to chair a football development committee at CFU, so that in itself is also a positive move and a vote of confidence,” he added.

Ricketts also used the opportunity to acknowledge supporters of the JFF’s work — and critics — for keeping the federation focused.

“There are others who are always making derogatory and unfair comments, but sometimes they give me more strength, so I probably need to say thanks to them as well,” he said. “We are strong, united, and committed, and the JFF is certainly intent on getting things right. It must be best practices going forward.”

“We are very happy and excited to be representing our country at the highest level,” Ricketts added.

Rudolph Speid has been appointed to FIFA’s Technical Development Committee. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Marketer and JFF First Instance Body Chairperson Carlene Edwards has been appointed to FIFA’s Women’s National Teams Competitions Committee.