JAMAICA’S senior women’s football team Head Coach Hubert Busby says while qualifying for every FIFA Women’s World Cup and advancing to the next round is the immediate goal, developing a sustainable pool of talented players is crucial for long-term success.

Busby says establishing a solid foundation of good players would ensure that the team’s accomplishments are not a one-time occurrence, but rather a constant pattern of performance that will carry the squad ahead for years to come.

“The bar has been raised, and we must continue to strive for excellence in everything we do,” Busby said during a press conference held at Jamaica Football Federation’s (JFF) headquarters on Wednesday.

“As the standards have been set high, it’s crucial that we collectively drive those standards to ensure we achieve our goals. Qualifying for every World Cup and progressing to the next round is our primary objective. To achieve this we need a solid foundation.

“We must provide a platform for our players to develop and grow over the next couple of years. This will ensure a sustainable pool of talented players for the future. It’s not just about this cycle; it’s about building a legacy that continues for years to come.”

The Reggae Girlz have qualified for consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments — 2019 in France, where they lost all three group matches, and the 2023 edition jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand during which they advanced to the round of 16.

Busby spoke of the importance of continuous improvement and the aspiration to eventually win the World Cup.

“And why not aim to win the World Cup?” Busby asked. “If we don’t have the highest expectations to do our best, what are we striving for? We must remember that life is about progression, and we must always strive to improve. The staff, players, federation, and supporters must all work together to drive those standards.

“We can’t lower our expectations; we must continue to raise the bar. And when we leave, we want to leave it better than we found it — with a team that’s capable of winning the World Cup. We have a talented group of players, many of whom have already shown their potential.

“We must provide them with the support and resources they need to succeed, and when we do there’s no limit to what we can achieve. So, let’s work together to build a solid foundation, a foundation that will ensure our success for years to come.”

A 23-member squad has been selected to represent Jamaica in two international friendlies against Brazil on June 1 and June 4. Notably, 19 of these players were part of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup squad, who had previously withdrawn their services due to a pay dispute and other issues with the JFF.

This group of players last represented Jamaica in the Olympic Games qualification play-off against Canada in September 2023. Following their withdrawal, a squad comprising many young players attempted to qualify for the inaugural Women’s Gold Cup tournament but failed.

“Our expectations are clear: We’re not going backward; we’re only progressing,” Busby said. “By natural progression, those who continue to excel will do so. We’ll be monitoring these players in their club environments to ensure they’re on track.

“If they’re excelling, great! If not, we’ll support them from afar and encourage them to take responsibility for their development. Remember, the senior women’s national team isn’t a development platform; it’s a stage for those who have developed to shine. Our youth programmes and club environments are where we nurture and support their growth.”