New FFB Football Director: “I want to make Belize more competitive internationally.” 

The Football Federation of Belize (FFB) has brought in Vin Blaine as its new director of football. The former Jamaica Reggae Girlz head coach is now tasked with overhauling how the game is run at every level.

Blaine signed a two-year contract with the FFB last week, with an option for renewal. He arrives with a résumé that includes the same director role at the Jamaica Football Federation, plus stints as technical director in Grenada and director of football for the US Virgin Islands.

Blaine says his focus is bigger than results on the pitch. He wants to help establish a more organised football system, develop young talent and referees, and ultimately prepare a Belizean to take over the Director of Football role after his tenure. 

“One vision, one mission, that is what we want. I want to see their football able to challenge for titles, and I would like to see the development and improvement of the game here, as well as improvements in young referees and refereeing,” Blaine said. He added that he wants to eventually hand the role to a Belizean successor. “I would like to leave a legacy where a local director of football can take over when I leave.”

Three tournaments are already on his desk. The senior team plays Nations League football in September and October, the Under-15 boys head to Azerbaijan for a World Cup festival, and the Under-16s compete in El Salvador at the Central American Football Union tournament.

Blaine pointed to Belize’s Latin American and Spanish expatriate players as an underused source of talent with a different style of play. He’s met with coaches across age groups and is using an upcoming full weekend of Belize Premier League matches to scout for players previously overlooked for national selection. 

“I want to make Belize more competitive internationally,” he said. “I have started my assessment already and when the time comes, everyone will know exactly what the expectations are.” 

No Nations League training squad has been named yet.