Some 100 coaches participated in the recently held two-day 2026 Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Coaching Conference, which focused on professional development, knowledge sharing, and the continued growth of football across the country.

Speaking with JIS News, Head of Coach Education at the JFF, Chase Roberts, said the conference, held under the theme: ‘Developing Better Coaches, Building Better Football’, brought together coaches from across various levels of the game to engage with local and international football professionals, coach educators and industry experts.

He said the participants included schoolboy football coaches, parish-level coaches, as well as coaches from the Women’s and Men’s Premier Leagues, and the Jamaica Football Championship.

Mr. Roberts explained that the conference was designed to equip the participants with knowledge and practical insights that could be applied within their respective environments.

The programme featured discussions on a range of topics, including CONCACAF coaching conventions, the Laws of the Game, the JFF Women’s Strategic Plan, the future of coaching in the Caribbean, and integrating speed of play into session planning.

The conference also addressed creating a winning environment, the Under-17 Reggae Boyz’ qualification journey, the future of coaching in Jamaica, the national playing philosophy, coaching interventions that enhance learning, and key considerations in developing a system of play.

It concluded with a panel discussion featuring representatives from successful teams in the Premier League, the Jamaica Football Championship and schoolboy football competitions.

Mr. Roberts said the broad range of topics was intended to address both the technical and professional dimensions of coaching.

“We were very strategic in the topics we chose, because we wanted to impact our coaches comprehensively… what happens off the field… what happens in the boardroom, what happens in the environment, and administratively as well,” he pointed out.

Mr. Roberts told JIS News that the JFF believes coaches must develop holistically if Jamaica is to continue improving its football standards.

He said feedback from the participants suggested that the conference was well received, with coaches indicating that they would welcome another staging next year.

“We want to provide that collaborative environment where coaches are able to work together; the only time we should be competing is on the field. If we want to improve our football, we should be collaborating off the field,” Mr. Roberts emphasised.

He advised that the JFF intends to build on this year’s experience and make next year’s event “bigger and better”, while taking into consideration participants’ feedback on areas requiring improvement.

Mr. Roberts said the Federation also expects participants to apply the knowledge and insights gained during the conference to their training sessions and broader coaching programmes, adding “we hope coaches have a better appreciation of their role as a profession.”

He added that the Coaching Education Department will continue to provide platforms that equip coaches with practical knowledge and skills that can be applied to the development of players and teams across Jamaica.