JFF announces coaches for age group teams
KINGSTON, Jamaica—Former Reggae Boyz captain Rudolph Austin has been promoted to head coach of the Jamaican national Under-20 men’s team, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) announced on Thursday.
Austin’s promotion was part of a raft of appointments made by the JFF on Thursday, and according to a release, acting general secretary of the Jamaica Football Federation Roy Simpson, said the appointments show the growth of the local coaches.
“Our quality of coaches continues to grow and improve in Jamaica. We have seen a number of our youth national teams in recent years win silverware and or pick up medals in regional competitions and this is exactly what we want to continue in the years ahead,” he was quoted to have said.
“CFU and CONCACAF have a packed calendar of youth tournaments on the horizon and by organising our technical staff from early will help us to prepare for more success in the future.”
Austin, who is also the head coach for Portmore United in the Jamaica Premier League, has served as assistant to the Men’s Under- 20 team since 2023 and will have the experienced Wendell Downswell as his assistant.
“Downswell, who has been part of Jamaica’s technical staff at the U17 World Cups in 1999 and 2011 and the U20 World Cup in 2001, will be the head coach of the National U17 Team and will be assisted by Vassel Reynolds, Carlton Simmonds and Altimont “Freddie” Butler”, the release also said.
Leacroft Lettman will continue as U20 Women’s head coach and will be assisted by Tamera Williams, who is also the Head Coach of the U14 Girls and will also be Head Coach of the National Girls U15 team.
Sashana Campbell, who was a member of the Reggae Girlz squad at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, will be Williams’ assistant.
Campbell will also be the assistant Coach of the U17 Girlz team to Marlon Hylton.
Andrew Peart, who led Jamaica to the CFU Boys U14 Challenge Series trophy in 2024 and the CONCACAF Boys U15 Championship League “B” title in 2025, will continue as Head Coach of the U15 team and will be assisted by Vassel Reynolds.
Reynolds will be the head coach of the U14 boys team and will be assisted by Lewin Purser.
-Paul Reid
