Pleasing signs
Busby happy with Reggae Girlz’s attitude ahead of Brazil tests
Published:Thursday | May 30, 2024 | 12:10 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
REGGAE GIRLZ head coach Hubert Busby is pleased with the attitude of his charges after the team, sans Jody Brown, trained at the Nautica Football Stadium in Brazil yesterday.
The team is preparing for a two-match friendly international against world number-10 ranked Brazil set for June 1 and 4.
“It was a great first day as the players came in with a great attitude. We got into some passing patterns, small-sided games, and just a little implementation of some of the tactics that we want to play. So overall, the spirit, attitude, and energy were fantastic on the first day,” said Busby.
The Reggae Girlz are currently on a 14-game winless streak, partially due to the lengthy absence of the majority of those who featured at 2023 FIFA World Cup.
According to Busby, the return of the core of that historic squad is already making a difference.
In addition, Busy shared that as the team prepared for a huge summer, which includes World Cup qualifiers and Nations League, the focus level needs to be at an all-time high.
“The core of this group of players has been away for a long time, so the excitement level is good as they come in and get to see their fellow sisters. They take pride in playing for the national team – that showed – and we’re really proud of that. It’s for them now to focus on what needs to happen, the expectations, along with their roles and responsibilities within this system,” said Busby.
The coach, who has been part of the national programme since 2018, when he was first appointed as assistant coach, explained that he had a long-term vision for the team.
That plan includes developing a playing principle, and based on the discussions already conducted, both the playing staff and players are on the same wave length.
“The idea now is, how do we look to evolve as a team, group, and programme? How do we put into place the characteristics of what is a Jamaican women’s football player on the world stage? So it’s more about our playing principle, what we want to do, what we’re about, and when we look to do them. That’s the key heading into these two games, but it’s a process, and after speaking with the players and staff, we’re committed to that process,” Busby explained.
The veteran coach, who was recently reappointed to the post, is pleased with the support he has got from the Jamaica Football Federation.
“It’s been brilliant as the most important thing for me is always to have open lines of communication. That has been good so far, and may that continue.”