All Set - Reggae Girlz ready to go as contracts have been finalised

NATIONAL SENIOR women's football head coach, Vin Blaine, says terms have been agreed upon with the players regarding their contracts for the upcoming Women's World Cup qualifiers which start next week.

Blaine made the announcement yesterday during a press conference to announce the 23-player squad for the February window, as they begin their quest towards a second consecutive appearance at the FIFA Women's World Cup Finals.

Blaine says that he has been involved with the negotiations with the team, along with Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) General Secretary Dalton Wint noting that the players are satisfied with the terms and are expected to sign either before or upon arrival in the island, which is scheduled for Monday.

"We are there. There was just one inclusion that should have been done, but all the Girlz are pleased and we are expecting them to sign. We have reached the stage where the girls are quite delighted with the contract," Blaine said.

"All of those (details) have been ironed out by the inclusion of my conversations with Wint," Blaine stated. "The relationship that we have built in getting this done, I have to give kudos to him to be able to sit and have discussions."

The Girlz, in the past, have had to confront the JFF regarding monetary compensation in 2019 and regarding unpaid fees before the start of the Olympic qualifiers. With their contract situation resolved, Blaine says that he is looking towards navigating his team towards the eight-team final round, with what he calls the best squad that he has managed. Additionally, he said, being able to play at home for the first time in three years will be an added boost, with 2,500 fully vaccinated fans in support.

"For them to be playing in front of their home crowd and getting the gist of the culture, this is why I would love to have 10,000 (spectators) to make a lot of noise in the stadium and display what our culture is all about and how passionate we are about football," Blaine said. "And it exudes into them as players. It's going to be a great look and it should be a good opportunity. I'm just as excited as they are."