JAMAICA FOOTBALL FEDERATION BEGINS CONSULTATION ON QUALIFICATION TO 2010 AND BEYOND

 On Wednesday, January 24, on the invitation of the Jamaica Football Federation, well-recognised consulting firm, Growth Facilitators conducted a Strategic Advance Session for the Federation.

President Boxhill in his planning meeting with partner of Growth Facilitators, Robert Wynter, had outlined his personal wish for the session. “I hope that at the end everyone expresses satisfaction for having participated and that there is consensus and focus on the strategies for the team qualifying for South Africa whilst also allowing for sustainability beyond South Africa.”

 Those present at the session spanned a wide spectrum of football personnel and supporters of the sport. The participants included Marketers, Financiers, Football Technical personnel, Players, Media personnel, Psychiatrists, Sponsors and members of the JFF Board of Directors headed by President Boxhill.

The session started with a core question that guided the day’s discussions.

“What must we do to be the best footballing nation in the World?”

Interestingly one of the players present was quick to ask “Why not say best footballing nation in CONCACAF?” The facilitator recommended that we should not limit our objectives.

As the discussions and ‘brain-storming’ continued, the participants created eight (8) areas of focus that were agreed to be critically important to realising the goal of becoming the World’s best footballing nation. Within each area of focus were smaller, more specific items of focus. Strategic and measurable goals were created from each of the eight (8) focus areas and these goals also included deadlines for accomplishment.

In addition to the above mentioned areas of focus and strategic goals/objectives, the session discussed the factors that stifle the Federation’s growth or hinder its progress. The discussions also produced methods that may be used to counter the Federation’s internal and external inhibitors or hindrances.

The eight (8) areas of focus agreed on were.

-                     Developing Football Knowledge and Skill

-                     Building Strategic Partnerships

-                     Aiming for Financial Strength and Stability

-                     Raising National Spirit

-                     Improving football infrastructure

-                     Creating Effective Leadership & Administration

-                     Ensuring Football Success

-                     Building Internationally recognised Leagues

It was the consensus that achieving the above would not only make qualification to 2010 likely but would be the foundation for consistent success.

The Session broke down into groups and discussed the strategies and tactics necessary to achieve each of the above.

Growth Facilitators will now submit a comprehensive document that clearly outlines all the areas discussed as well as the action plans that were created. This document will be circulated at the upcoming Congress of the Federation on February 11 and will form the basis of further consultation and reviews.