Reggae Girlz head coach Hubert Busby Jr. says he is drawing closer to identifying the core squad for Jamaica’s 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign, which begins in October. But while progress has been made in player evaluation and tactical development, Busby admits that shoring up the defence remains a critical priority.
Head coach Hubert Busby has named a 21-member Reggae Girlz squad to face the United States in an international friendly on June 3 as the Jamaican team continues its steady rebuild ahead of the next FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification cycle.
Jackson claimed the award for the first time after a phenomenal 2023 season which saw her successfully defend her World 200m title with a personal best 21.41, the second fastest time ever, in Budapest in August.
In addition to her 200m title, Jackson also ran 10.72 for 100m silver. She ended her season with the sprint double at the Diamond League Final in Eugene with times of 10.70 and 21.57, respectively, in September.
The 29-year-old also achieved a new personal best in the 100m with 10.65, the fifth fastest time ever, to defend her National title in July.
Antonio Watson shocked the world to become the first Jamaican man in 40 years to win 400m gold at the World Championships.
After running a massive personal best 44.14 in the semi-finals, the 22-year-old produced 44.22 to take gold in the final. Watson also ran 44.54 for second at the National Championships in July.
Watson also took home the people’s choice award for his gold medal winning performance.
Danielle Williams was named runner-up for Sportswoman of the Year while Hansle Parchment was runner-up for Sportsman of the Year.
Williams, like Watson, shocked the world in Budapest by claiming her second 100m hurdles World title, the other coming all the way back in 2015.
Parchment, the reigning Olympic champion, claimed his second World Championship silver medal with a 13.07 effort in Budapest. He followed that up in September with a new personal best 12.93 to win at the Diamond League Final in Eugene.
The recipient of the 2023 Icon Award was 400m hurdles Olympic and World champion Deon Hemmings-McCatty while West Indies Under-19 batsman Jordan Johnson was named the winner of the VM Group Y.O.U.T.H award.
Some other athletes receiving awards for their individual sports included CAC Games bronze medallist Tahlia Richardson for badminton, Ricardo “Big 12” Brown for boxing, Sherea Clarke and Wayne McCalla for bodybuilding, West Indies batter Rashada Williams for cricket and Sara Misir and Fraser McConnell for motorsport.
Arguably Jamaica’s two most successful sports teams, the Sunshine Girls and the Reggae Girls, were given special awards for their performances in 2023.
The Reggae Girls were rewarded for their historic performance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand from July 20-August 20.
They became the first Caribbean team ever, male or female, to advance to the Round of 16 at a FIFA World Cup.
The Sunshine Girls also had a historically good year with a gold medal at the CAC Games held in El Salvador from June 25-29 and bronze at the Netball World Cup held from July 28-August 6 in South Africa.
That World Cup also saw the Jamaicans get their first ever World Cup win over world number one and eventual champions, Australia.
Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz secured a confident 2-0 win over Peru in the first of their two scheduled international friendlies on Sunday. Goals from Jody Brown and Kayla McKenna ensured victory as the team continued their strong run of form, marking their third consecutive win—something they had not achieved since 2022.
Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz are set to face Peru in a pair of international friendlies in Lima on February 23 and 26, but they will do so without their star forward, Khadija “Bunny” Shaw.
Reggae Girl Marlo Sweatman is taking significant strides towards a career in sports management following her recent enrollment in the MSc International Sports Management program at the Global Institute of Sports (GIS) as an Elite Athlete Scholar. This latest achievement follows her successful completion of the UEFA Elite Scout Programme in December 2023, marking a seamless transition from professional football into a leadership role in the sport.
Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz head coach Hubert Busby Jr has declared that all objectives were met in the team’s 2-0 victory over Peru in Lima on Sunday. While pleased with the result and the opportunity to rotate the squad, Busby emphasized the need for improvements in front of goal as the team was wasteful with their chances.
Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz suffered another heavy defeat to Mexico on Tuesday night, going down 4-0 at the Shell Energy Stadium in Houston in the second of two international friendlies. The result followed Saturday’s 3-0 loss and capped a challenging week for the Jamaicans, who conceded seven goals without reply across both fixtures.
The Jamaica Football Federation has confirmed two friendlies for the Reggae Girlz on February 23rd and 26th against South American side Peru. Both matches will take place in the capital city Lima at the Estadio Miguel Grau.
With star striker Khadija “Bunny” Shaw sidelined indefinitely due to injury, Reggae Girlz head coach Hubert Busby Jr. says the team will be relying on Newcastle United forward Shania Hayles and other attacking options to carry the scoring load as Jamaica prepares for high-profile friendlies against the United States and England in June.