Hubert Busby Jr. – An interview with the Jamaican women’s national team manager – Back Page Football
With qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup set to begin next year, Jamaica will be aiming to reach the tournament for a third consecutive time, having made history with appearances in both 2019 and 2023.
I caught up with Hubert Busby Jr., head coach of the Jamaican women’s national team, to talk about his journey in football, his vision for the Reggae Girlz and his enduring passion for the beautiful game.
Q – You were born and raised in Canada, but represented Jamaica as a player between 2001 and 2003. Can you tell me a bit about where you grew up and what your childhood was like?
I grew up in Toronto in the 1970s. My mother is from Jamaica and my father is from Aruba. As a child, I spent some time travelling back and forth between there and Kingston – staying with my grandma. I have strong connections to the country, my uncle (Locksley Comrie) was president of Boys’ Town FC and used to be the president of the Jamaican Football Federation.
Q – When did you first fall in love with football? Were there any players or mentors who inspired you as a young athlete?
My dad and uncles used to speak to me about John Barnes and Luther Blissett. I can’t say that I did specifically have a hero but I was aware of the West Indian players that were making a name for themselves in England.
Q – Your playing career as a goalkeeper took you across several countries — the U.S., Portugal, the Netherlands and England. What were some of the most memorable experiences from playing abroad?
I have fond memories of the people. The life lesson is taught me was tolerance and acceptance. I think we sometimes take for granted how difficult a transition to a new country can be. I truly enjoyed my time living in Portugal, the culture was quite laid back like the West Indies. The people were very warm and welcoming. The sense of community and their family orientated nature was something that really resonated with me. When you win a game, the whole community celebrates but when you lose, they’ll let you know (but in a nice way!). The people there really embraced me.
Q – How did living and playing in different football cultures shape your understanding of the game?
I was only in the Netherlands for six months, but they have a certain style as do the Portuguese. North America has more of an eclectic mix, depending on who your manager is and where they are from. I mainly played under British or Italian coaches. It’s given me a really good footballing education of not only ways of understanding the game but also how to teach it.
Q – Did you always envision a career in football?
No – actually when I graduated from university, there was team nearby that was owned by a local law firm. I was thinking about going to law school and they invited me to do some volunteer clerking in the front office. I started playing for the team, had a good first season and was then on the radar of some professional clubs. Through my agent, I spent a week training with Ajax before joining low league side Telstar SC. In North America, a lot of clubs were semi-pro so most players needed a second job so I wanted to explore opportunities in Europe.
Q – How did your experiences as a goalkeeper influence your coaching style, especially when working with outfield players?
I feel that I’ve always been a leader in the teams that I’ve played for. You have to organise the defence and you need to be vocal. Being a goalkeeper gives you the perspective of seeing the game in a different manner. Overall, I don’t think it has shaped me as much as my experiences in different environments have shaped me.
Q – With World Cup qualifiers approaching, do you have a core group of players in mind, or is the squad still wide open for new talent?
We definitely have a core group of 10-12 players and they will be aiming to go to their third World Cup. Their experience and guidance are extremely important. I’m excited to see the younger generation that will follow them, I want them to be dynamic and hungry too. We are thinking of the future and what the team for the World Cup in 2031 will look like. We have a pathway for younger players and will ensure that these players are given opportunities to gain experience.
Q – The team recently scheduled matches against top-tier opponents like the U.S. and England. How valuable are these high-level friendlies in preparing the Reggae Girlz for competitive matches?
It’s challenging to face the U.S. and England in back-to back games. I would have liked to play a match in between. When we have the players in camp, we learn a lot, embed some principles, have more time for team bonding and goal setting which a lot of the time people don’t see. If we play the top ranked teams and the results don’t go our way, the fans are naturally disappointed. We want to win games and make the country proud. These games are tremendous experiences for the players. We’re currently spending a week training at St. George’s Park and this is a great opportunity for our young players.
Q – How would you describe the identity or playing philosophy, you’re trying to instill in the Reggae Girlz?
Our playing philosophy is for us to play vertical. We want to be able to play through the lines at pace – using the technical qualities that we have. In the recent friendlies against South Africa and Peru we were able to dictate the pace even without Bunny Shaw. Any team that doesn’t have a player of Bunny’s stature in their lineup is not going to do as well.
Q – Jamaica’s women’s program has grown significantly in recent years. What’s been the biggest driver behind that progress?
We have been on the world stage and had some success, so awareness is key. The Bob & Rita Marley Foundation, the Jamaican Football Federation and Jamaican government have all worked together collaboratively. Credit also has to go to the players for their efforts – they have sacrificed a lot. I can’t speak highly enough of the coaching staff and players. They have been the biggest drivers, as without them, nothing else can happen.
Q – Looking beyond the national team, what do you think is needed to further grow women’s football in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean?
It’s investment and education – the two have to go together. We need to educate from grass roots level and then with the investment comes the infrastructure. Some of the teams in the Jamaican Premier League are trying to stay afloat themselves, so can’t start women’s programmes. But it needs investment and it would be great to see more teams getting involved. Spain has invested heavily in their women’s programme; they got knocked out of the 2015 World Cup in the group stage and since then they’ve gone on to win the World Cup and Nations League in a relatively short space of time.
