Wrong message to local Girlz, says Edwards
Published:Saturday | August 17, 2024 | 12:09 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
Former national women’s coach, Charles Edwards, says Reggae Girlz head coach Hubert Busby Jr is sending the wrong message to local-based players when he stated that they must get college or professional experience before they can make the transition into the senior team.
In a recent report in The Gleaner, Busby said the large pool of overseas-based players in the Reggae Girlz squad makes it difficult for local girls to go straight into the team.
He pointed out that as talented as the local players are, they need the experience that a professional environment provides, and believes it is better they get the experience at college or club level overseas, to be able to compete for a place in the Reggae Girlz team.
Although Edwards agrees that overseas experience at the club or college level would aid the players in their development, he believes Busby’s words will discourage a lot of local players who are not in a position to exploit any overseas opportunities.
As a result, he thinks that Busby should put together a group of top local talent, train them, educate them on what is required to play for the Reggae Girlz and give them the opportunity to play when possible.
“What coach Busby said I can understand the dilemma because he is trying to maintain a certain standard. When you look at our league over the last two years, the standard has been very low. But these girls will not get overseas or international experience and exposure unless you put them in the programme and carry them with you as understudy players,” Edwards said.
“The programme should help develop the local league. I would like to see Busby come in on his off days and work with a set of players. Help to develop them, redirect them. Help them understand the requirements needed to be in the senior team. And you will never know, maybe a couple of them will get contracts to go overseas and that is where their development starts. I understand what he is saying but I think the wrong message is being sent.”
Edwards said that having more than 50 international players in the player pool is good for the future of the Reggae Girlz but he does not believe this method of recruiting overseas-based professionals only is sustainable.
“If you have a pool of 50 or more overseas-based players that is excellent, that is fantastic for our programme going forward. If you say you are not going to call local players I understand. But it is not going to work long term.
“Let’s say the pool of international players or overseas-based players dries up, a number of them retire and walk away from the programme. What do you do? Draw back for the local players who are totally unprepared or do you walk away from the programme?
“I do not think the JFF puts enough focus on these (local) players because they (JFF) are quite happy with what is going on.
“We have to be cognisant of the fact that the JFF’s funding is very limited but we also have to look at different ways and means to develop what we have here,” he said.
“We still need to develop a league here. Jamaica needs to develop a proper women’s league. Sitting outside and talking about it like that doesn’t help. If one or two players get in (senior team), that would be a great start for the players from the league. So let’s hope common sense prevails. Create a better balance and a big light at the end of the tunnel for the local girls, as they need to understand that there is hope for them at the end of the day,” Edwards said.