REGGAE GIRLZ head coach Hubert Busby Jr says to build a successful national programme in modern football, Jamaica must recruit committed dual-nationality players, while also building a strong local pool of players.
Busby was speaking last week when he announced his squad for the Girlz upcoming international friendly against Trinidad and Tobago.
He was responding to the recent switch of allegiance by Engand-born defender Taylor Hinds, who opted to return to the England fold, having represented Jamaica last year.
Busby said switches of allegiance are becoming far more commonplace in international football in the modern era, and Hinds’ situation is not unique.
He said for Jamaica to build and maintain a competitive national team, work has to be done to secure the futures of talented dual-nationality players who have shown a commitment to represent the black, green, and gold.
“The recruitment process of ‘dual-nationals’ is ongoing because that is the landscape and the times we live in,” he said. “If you’re standing still, then you’re being left behind.”
Busby explained that this recruitment process should begin as early as possible, to allow for these players to grow within the national programme.
This, he said, will allow for the Girlz to cultivate a strong culture of dual-nationality players choosing to represent Jamaica permanently.
“The reality is, if you look at modern football, male or female, this is happening throughout the globe, and this is not something that is unique just to Jamaica.
“A big player at a big club is now switching from his homeland to playing for the nation of his parents’ birth.”
He continued, “We also need to look at players who are expressing their interest to play for Jamaica at a younger age. How [do] we get them into the system early, and how do we indoctrinate them into our culture beliefs?”
He warned the recruitment of dual-nationality players should not come at the expense of local development.
Busby said the Jamaica Football Federation must also be involved with providing a pathway for local talents to move into the national programme.
This involves ensuring local clubs have the proper structures in place for players to develop their skills at a world-class standard.
“Two things need to happen at once,” he said.
“We need to continue to develop our local players and provide them with the resources and support they need in terms of coaching and support, in terms of club structuring. That needs to happen.”
He added, “That continues to be an issue. That’s why we, as a staff, have looked at younger players and continue to work with the local ones here.”
Busby revealed that at this time, his staff are currently monitoring more than 65 players ahead of World Cup Qualifying.
The fruits of their labour is evident, with 13 senior players being handed their first call-up over the past year, the latest being Tianna Harris ahead of their Trinidad friendly.
“It is a continuous process of looking and evaluating players, and we have that process in place,” he said.
“We are evaluating over 65 players on a weekly basis, that is spread out among all our staff that is responsible to monitor players on a week-to-week basis.”
