A new club and coaching licensing systems were signed off on by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and its stakeholders as they push for the restructuring of the island’s football programmes.

In a release by the JFF yesterday, it stated that the implementation of a club licensing system beginning August 2014 and a coaching licensing system for September 2013 were two of the recommendations under the football restructuring programme which were approved by the JFF board of directors meeting held on January 23.

A comprehensive report on the consultative process was presented at the quarterly meeting of the board. Since December when the discussions started, over 200 persons have participated in these discussions, including representatives from the parishes and confederation level, affiliates, media and sponsors, the release further stated.

The board of directors also agreed that an extraordinary meeting would be held to discuss the other recommendations emerging from the consultations.

Finally, the Board approved the continuation of the consultation to end with a meeting with the government.

The coaching licensing system will mean that all coaches will have to be licensed to coach in Jamaica at any level. To receive a license one will have had to acquire the appropriate coaching certificate; do refresher courses; be actively coaching and pay an annual fee amongst other requirements.

The club licensing system would mandate among other things that the constitution of clubs would have to be in line with that of the JFF and FIFA; that club officials are certified; that an annual general meeting is held and that a grass-roots programme is mandatory.

A critical premise of the process of restructuring is that “Jamaica does not have sufficient technical and financial resources to play its current level of football efficiently and productively… fundamental changes are necessary”.