Edwards ‘humbled’ by FIFA appointment

FRESH FROM her involvement in a revamped Jamaica Women’s Premier League, marketing and communications expert Carlene Edwards has been appointed to the FIFA Women’s National Team Competitions Committee.

FIFA, the world governing body for football, made several appointments to several committees from scores of member nations following its council meeting last week.

Edwards, who serves as chairperson of the Marketing and Commercialisation Affairs Committee of the Professional Women’s Football Jamaica Limited (PWFJL), is also a member of the Jamaica Football Federation’s (JFF) First Instance Committee and has been instrumental in the licensing of clubs in Jamaica and the region.

The PWFJL is the organisation tasked with executing the JWPL and hosted a noticeably improved product, attracting increased sponsorship and lifting the professionalism of the league during its recently concluded first season.

Reacting to her appointment, the Jamaica National senior executive told The Gleaner the appointment encapsulates her passion for sports.

“I am humbled to be appointed to a committee of the world’s governing body for football — FIFA. Sport has always been a passion of mine, and having served in various capacities within football, from the business house level to our national federation, this appointment feels like my contribution has come full circle.”

Edwards also pointed to the significance of the timing of her appointment.

“The appointment is especially meaningful at a time when I am deeply involved in the JWPL, and when there is heightened global focus on advancing the women’s game. I look forward to learning as much as I can, while making strong representation and a meaningful contribution on behalf of Jamaica and the wider Caribbean region.”

Edwards is one of three Jamaicans named to FIFA standing committees, as JFF President Michael Ricketts was appointed deputy chairperson of the Grassroots and Amateur Football Committee while Chairman of the JFF’s Technical Committee Rudolph Speid was appointed to the FIFA’s Technical Development Committee.

Former Netball Jamaica President Molly Rhone and King’s Counsel Ian Wilkinson have been appointed to independent committees, with Rhone now a member of the Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee, while Wilkinson now sits in the adjudicatory chamber.

According to FIFA “standing committees report to the FIFA Council, advising and assisting the Council in their respective fields of function. The composition and structure, including qualification and number of members fulfilling independence criteria as well as the specific duties and powers of the individual committees, shall be stipulated in the FIFA Governance Regulations”.