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PWFJL breathes life into women’s football
February 13, 2025
Finally! Local women's football received some good news, extremely good news with the launch of the rebranded Jamaica Women's Premier league (JWPL) yesterday. The launch took place at the Land Rover showroom on Arthur Wint Drive.
Since Sherwin Williams pulled its sponsorship in 2014, after 14 seasons, the JWPL has struggled for meaningful support, despite the Reggae Girlz qualifying for consecutive World Cups.
Now, the league is back and due to kick off on March 1, with 11 teams. And similar to the Jamaica Premier League (JPL), the women's competition will now be managed by the newly formed Professional Women's Football Jamaica Limited (PWFJL), which will be in charge of commercialising, managing and developing the league.
Chairperson of the PWFJL, Christina Hudson, pointed out that the organisation aims not only to improve the standard of the league but also the infrastructure of local women's clubs and the players' personal development.
"I am very optimistic about what we can achieve. The product of women's football is not hard to sell, and we have such a strong talent pool here and if the sponsors and market see what we can accomplish, next year will be easier to get more people to support us," Hudson said.
The league has already attracted sponsors such as Sherwin Williams, Supreme Ventures, Tru Shake, Kind Hearts Foundation, Gatorade, KFC (which presented $2.5 million), Valvoline, Wata, Hummel Jamaica and the Sport Development Foundation (SDF).
Hudson revealed that they have already accumulated $10.7 million in sponsorship, and that they are expecting additional funds.
"We are still working on partnerships and sponsorships behind the scene. So far we have about $10.7 million raised in just one-and-a-half months.
"We will tip off the Jamaica Women's Premier League with the highest level of professionalism. We have a lot to give back to our communities and clubs and we hope to bring the best that is possible to Jamaica," she said
Hummel Jamaica are the official kit and equipment sponsor. They will be providing each club with 25 home kits, 25 away kits, 10 training balls, five match balls, a ball bag, 25 pairs of shin guards, two goalkeeper gloves and 10 training bibs.
Meanwhile, minister of sports, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, said the league represents a step forward, providing an opportunity for women around the island to showcase their talent, hone their skills and pursue their passion.
She said that it will also encourage generations of women to elevate the standard of women's football in Jamaica, while revealing that the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) will be matching the $12.6 million subvention provided to the Jamaica Premier League by the government.
"This collaboration represent the shared commitment to managing, nurturing and expanding the women's league. It aims to elevate women's football to new heights. So players and clubs can reach their full potential," Grange said.
The 11 teams in the league are Arnett Gardens FC, Cavalier SC, UWI Women's FC, Wifi United FC from Portland and Proven Girls FC from St Thomas, Mile Gully FC and Los Perfectos FC from Manchester, Frazsiers Whip FC and Federal United FC from St Catherine, while representing St James are Springers United FC and Real MoBay AFC.
