Despite failing to qualify from the CFU Women’s Challenge Series and the CONCACAF Women’s Qualifiers, the Lady Jaguars Senior Squad has climbed 35 places to achieve a FIFA ranking of 83rd.
This positive movement resulted in the team being ranked within the top eight nations in the CONCACAF region, and amongst the top four in the CFU sub-confederation.
The Lady Jaguars in their most recent international outings were dumped out of group-E in the CONCACAF Women’s Qualifiers on the May 27th at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.
In the month of April, the side finished third in the third position during the CFU Women’s Challenge Series in Trinidad and Tobago.
According to a release from the Guyana Football Federation [GFF], head-coach Dr. Ivan Joseph said, “This is a great first step to validate the work the Federation and our female athletes have put into the program. Our coaching staff look forward to continuing our efforts to advance the “Lady Jaguars” standing at the international level.”
Similarly, Ian Greenwood, Technical Director of the federation said, “The re-launch of the “Lady Jags” programme required an innovative approach and we are very confident under Dr. Ivan and his experienced staff it will continue to grow. The recent rankings show a very positive push in the right direction but also highlights that we must be consistent in our women’s development programmes as we still have a long way to go on this journey.”
Wayne Forde, President of the GFF said, “This is a fine example of what is possible when we believe in a mission that is beyond the might of one person, said President Wayne Forde. “The collective strategic focus of the Executive Committee, the GFF International Support Group (ISG), our Technical Staff, parents and most importantly, our courageous young women, has produced early dividends, which have certainly elevated the credibility and direction of our Women’s programme.”
“The GFF-Scotia Bank Academy Training Centres (ATC) are injecting a higher percentage of quality players into our national programme, which will result in the creation of many more scholarship opportunities for our girls in the coming years. This is truly a proud moment for our nation”, Forde added.
Also, International Women’s Coordinator and Coordinator of the International Supporters Group (ISG), Paul Beresford, said, “I would like to thank the GFF for their innovative approach when faced with the challenge of re-launching a programme that had been dormant for two years, and the confidence placed in the coaching and support staff, especially Coach Ivan and his team, and members of the International Supporters Group (ISG) during this initial period.”
