Reggae Girlz coach Hubert Busby Jr has fond Christmas memories of Davidson Avenue
Published:Friday | December 25, 2020 | 10:21 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer -
For national senior women's football team head coach, Hubert Busby Jr, some of his fondest Christmas memories were spent on Davidson Avenue, in Drewsland, St Andrew during his formative years.
Busby, who played professionally overseas for nearly a decade, recalled the good times he had with cousins and uncles at his grandparents' home at this time of the year.
He says that even four decades after migrating from Jamaica to reside in Canada, those memories are still vividly etched in his mind.
"My formative years, I have very fond memories of Christmas in Jamaica," Busby recalled. "We have such fond memories when we were seven, eight, nine years old with our cousins, especially on the verandah playing games, playing sing alongs, and we always gathered around our grandparents.
"My grandfather would make grater cake and coconut drops for us. So my grandparents, whom I have a tremendous love and affection for, I really have fun memories of them having all their grandkids around them.
"So that is my fondest memory, the house on Davidson Avenue which was always packed with family, love and sharing.
"I can't say enough how important that was for me growing up, as 40-odd years on I still hold those memories dear."
The former goalkeeper, who spent time at clubs such as Crystal Palace and Millwall in England, as well as Vancouver Whitecaps, and Montreal Impact in Canada, says Drewsland is where he also developed his love, and his skills for the game.
"I remember kicking ball on Davidson Avenue with my cousins and my uncles, and just enjoying the festivities with family who had left and gone abroad, as my uncles would bring their children to spend time.
"As I got older, I would go to Pembroke Hall and play football with my uncles and that was how the love of the game started for me."
Even though he now resides in Canada, Busby says he always looks for the opportunity to return home during the holidays.
"Having gone to Canada, it is great to come back for Christmas and get out of the snow at that time of year and come back to some warmth," he said.
He says that his wish for Christmas is to see Jamaicans show more love towards each other.
"We need to take the time to reflect and show each other love," he said. "What really encapsulated us is one love, and I think what we need to do right now is practice that mantra of one love."