HUBERT Busby, head coach of Jamaica’s senior Reggae Girlz, has praised the ongoing efforts of the Jamaica Women’s Premier League organisers to raise the standard of play. He identified a few young footballers he was impressed with, who could be part of the wider programme, including youth teams.

Busby said Taunaeshe Hamilton (Arnett Gardens), Riquanna Richards (Frazsiers Whip) and Adrianna Morris (Los Perfctos) are some of the players who can fit into various youth teams with potential for matriculating to the senior set-up.

The national coach was on hand to witness Arnett Gardens beat Los Perfectos 3-2 and Frazsiers Whip trounce Real Mona 5-0 in first-leg action of the JWPL semi-finals last weekend.

“The Women’s Premier League continues to get better each year. Yes, there are ways to go, but we all understand that there is a process involved to that, both on and off the pitch. I think first and foremost, credit to Christina Hudson and Carlene Edwards for their leadership with regards to that and their guidance,” Busby told the Jamaica Observer.

“And of course, the clubs who are raising their standards both on and off the pitch as well, which obviously translates to the product on the pitch. So may that continue. One of the things that would be great to see is some more clubs introducing some younger players as well, because obviously there’s not really much for those players between the ages of 16 and 18”.

“But you do see a lot of the clubs implementing younger players, which is a plus. We all need to do our part to ensure the game continues to grow at that level. But first and foremost, as I’ve always alluded to, it must be done with the building of the capacity and the numbers at the grassroots level to allow for young girls the opportunity to play football within their parishes,” he reiterated.

“So I think there’s a lot of positive things to see and I was really, really pleased with the competitive spirit and the play [in] the semi-finals. [We] look forward to better days ahead and for us to continue to help to support and grow this league,” said Busby.

With a wealth of talent to choose from Busby explained that while these players might not transition immediately to the senior team, there remains hope.

“I think it’s really about players making progressions and next steps, you know, in the pathway, in the development pathway. I think Taunashae Hamilton had a very good game. She’s someone who’s been a part of the programme at some point,” he noted.

“I think the profile of the players like Raquanna Richards and Adriana Morris are those sorts of younger players under the age of 18, 19, 20 that are really part of the youth team programmes that we have to continue to monitor going forward,” he added.

“So it’s not necessarily about being drafted [senior team] because, you know, if you look at where the players are playing right now in the programme at the highest levels of women’s football, there’s another step that needs to take place, whether that be a good college programme or they find themselves overseas playing again, just because I think our pool is very, very strong at the moment,” the Jamaica women’s head coach explained.

“I think it bodes well. The players know that we’re monitoring them, but obviously, it’s really important to note that there are levels to be able to, especially with the group that we currently have, to take the next step to get in there,” said Busby.

“But there are good examples for them to aspire to in terms of the likes of Shaneil Buckley and Destiny Powells of the world, and recently Shanae Ashley (Real Mona). So it’s there for them to go and grab the shirt, so to speak. But yeah, still some work to be done, but like we said, we’re monitoring them, monitoring their progress, and let’s see what the young ones do, and let’s see how they push on in the next few months, if not the next few years,” said Busby.

Arnett Gardens goalkeeper Alesha Robinson (left) and Sara Needham of Los Perfectos vie for the ball during the Jamaica Women’s Premier League first-leg semi-final match at UWI Mona Bowl on May 16, 2026. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)