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Busby hails Girlz’ progress, professional growth
October 12, 2026
Reggae Girlz head coach Hubert Busby believes their growth as a national programme is becoming increasingly evident, describing the team’s transformation as ‘night and day’, compared to the last few years.
Jamaica showed their progress with a thrilling 4-3 win over Mexico on Friday, marking a significant turnaround from last year’s encounters when Mexico handed Jamaica comprehensive 3-0 and 4-0 defeats in back-to-back international friendlies.
Busby believes the growing number of Jamaican players competing professionally has raised the team’s standard as they prepare for next month’s decisive Concacaf W Championship.
“When you think about when we went to the first World Cup, we had predominantly college kids and players going into their first contracts. Now we have players who have left college early, who are in professional environments and are playing and thriving,” he said.
Proof of development
Jamaica’s attacking display against Mexico offered proof of that development, with all four goals coming from players competing professionally.
Jody Brown and captain Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw play in Europe, while Deneisha Blackwood competes in Mexico and Solai Washington plays in the United States.
For Busby, the improvement extends beyond individual performances, with greater competition in the squad giving the coaching staff more options heading into the business end of their World Cup qualifying campaign.
Jamaica will face Costa Rica in the quarter-finals of the Concacaf W Championship, with victory securing their third consecutive appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Despite the growing professional experience, Busby said the door remains open for players outside that environment to make their mark, highlighting goalkeeper Liya Brooks and Aliyah Morgan, both involved in collegiate football.
“If you’ve seen the likes of Liya Brooks, then you know she’s played well in the last two years. She’s played against the USA and England, and she made her debut against South Africa,” he said.
“So she’s had that sort of experience now to be able to come into these games as well, even though she is still in college.”
Busby also pointed to Morgan’s experience at senior level and her progression through Jamaica’s Under-20 programme as evidence that professional status is not the only measure of a player’s readiness.
“Aliyah is someone who’s actually played one or two games as well at the senior level and has come through our U20 programme. So they have that experience in their own right,” he said.
Selection still open
With approximately 40 players involved in the wider national programme, Busby stressed that selection for the decisive Costa Rica encounter remains open.
He also shared that the coaching staff continues to engage players through regular online meetings, ensuring they understand their roles and remain prepared to contribute when called upon.
“Nothing’s finalised until that two weeks before,” he said.
The Reggae Girlz will face Mexico again on Tuesday, providing another opportunity to assess their progress.
