BROADER SCOPE

Arnett Gardens goalkeeper Alesha Robinson (left) and Sara Needham of Los Perfectos vie for the ball during the Jamaica Women’s Premier League first-leg semi-final match at UWI Mona Bowl on May 16, 2026. (Photo: Naphtali Junior) Despite the imminent introduction of relegation and promotion in the Jamaica Women’s Premier League (JWPL), Professional Women’s Football Jamaica Limited (PWFJL) Chairperson Christina Hudson believes the move will significantly raise the standard of the competition and strengthen women’s football locally. The JWPL has operated without a promotion and relegation system since 2008, instead using a league and play-off format. However, the limited number of clubs with active women’s teams has resulted in changes to the competition, with clubs entering or withdrawing depending on their circumstances. That is expected to change with the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) planning to introduce a National Women’s Tier Two competition next year which would see the return of a second division in women’s football for the first time in nearly two decades, since the former Women’s ‘A’ League. The Jamaica Observer has learnt that the plan has been in development for several months, with a host of teams expressing interest in joining the competition and ultimately earning promotion to the JWPL. An early 2027 start date has been proposed and would end before the completion of the 2026/2027 JWPL season. Abigail Mullings (right) of Arnett Gardens goes down under a challenge from Shennel Walters of Frazsiers Whip during the Jamaica Women’s Premier League final at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on May 30, 2026. Frazsiers Whip won 2-0. (Photo: Naphtali Junior) A reliable source told the Observer that Waterhouse FC, three-time JWPL champions who did not return to the competition in 2023 following the COVID-19 pandemic, Montego Bay United and Tru-Juice FC are among six or seven clubs expected to participate in the Tier Two competition. All three clubs also field teams in the men’s Jamaica Premier League. The Observer has learnt that a club from St Ann, separate from Mount Pleasant Football Academy, is also interested in joining the competition. When contacted, JFF President Michael Ricketts didn’t confirm the exact details but told the Observer that the federation is leaning towards a 2027 start date following further consultations with relevant stakeholders. “It depends on how serious these teams are and even a shortened version would serve the programme well, so definitely we’ll be looking at that and we’ll make an announcement in that regard soon,” he said. HUDSON… the top two winners of the Tier Two will be promoted to the Jamaican Women’s Premier League and the bottom two of the Jamaican Women’s Premier League will be relegated to Tier Two (Photo: Karl Mclarty) “We will need to look at those teams that would have given an indication that they want to play football and once you meet with them and they are serious, then we could very well have this Tier 2 but we are super excited.” Hudson believes the planned introduction of the Tier Two reflects the growth of the JWPL, which has been managed by the PWFJL for the past two seasons. “I think that this is super exciting [and] I think that shows the power of what we have been doing,” she told the Observer. “So for the very first time this season, the top two winners of the Tier Two will be promoted to the Jamaican Women’s Premier League and the bottom two of the Jamaican Women’s Premier League will be relegated to Tier Two.” Sade Berry (left) of Arnett Gardens kicks the ball as Los Perfectos goalkeeper Tashana Levy attempts to save during the Jamaica Women’s Premier League match at JFF/Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence on May 16, 2026. Looking on is Shikiri Douglas of Arnett Gardens. (Photo: Naphtali Junior) Although relegation could present a challenge for clubs in the revamped JWPL, Hudson believes the introduction of the system will raise the competitiveness and commercial appeal of women’s football. “I think it can only benefit the quality of the football that we’re seeing. All of the benefits that the Jamaican Women’s Premier League gives or builds out in each season for our clubs is something that is renewed season to season,” she said. “So the clubs get to benefit from being a part of the league for that season and then a new club that comes along will also benefit in their new season, so I don’t think that there’s any downside to the relegation and promotion system.” “People have been saying that the bottom half of our league is not overly competitive. So now that clubs have this goal that if you’re not making it in the top, you might lose your spot. I think it’s definitely going to push teams at the bottom half of the table to want to improve the quality of the football that they’re playing so that can only help us because obviously the more exciting football and the better quality football that we’re seeing on the pitch, the more people will want to come out and watch the games.” The JWPL is set to kick off next month with 12 teams including Frazsiers Whip who will be looking to defend their title for a fourth straight year.