Girlz looking to get back into action soon

July 20, 2020
Jamaica’s Mireya Grey dribbles away from Australia’s Karly Roestbakken during a FIFA Women’s World Cup first-round match on June 18, 2019.
Jamaica’s Mireya Grey dribbles away from Australia’s Karly Roestbakken during a FIFA Women’s World Cup first-round match on June 18, 2019.

Having not played a competitive fixture in five months, national senior women's coach Hubert Busby Jr says that plans are being made for the Reggae Girlz to return to action this year.

The Girlz last competed in the Concacaf Women's Olympic-qualifying tournament in late January, before the coronavirus pandemic brought a halt to sports globally. The pandemic forced the cancellation of plans to have a friendly in Europe, which was scheduled for April. Busby said that they are targeting either a friendly or at the least, a senior camp.

"We are also planning accordingly, but just like everything else in this pandemic we have to be able to adapt. But I think that is the plan, as it all surrounds borders and players and clubs willing to release those players during that window, knowing that the possibility of that they might be under a 14-day quarantine," Busby told STAR Sports "I don't really know what that looks like until we get some more feedback from FIFA and Concacaf."

The September international window has already been cancelled for Concacaf, with nothing definitive decided for October or November. The plans for the resumption of football activities for the women's programme would also involve the Under-17 team which has been affected by the pandemic with the postponement of the 2020 Concacaf Under-17 Women's Championship, which would have determined the qualifiers for the 2021 Women's Under 17 World Cup. Busby said.

"We are planning for something. What that looks like and where that is, I can't confirm. But we are working ahead to try and get something for the senior women again and, obviously, we still have our under-17s, who still need to go through a qualifying stage," he said.

HEALTH PROTOCOLS

Busby additionally said that if a friendly were to take place, Europe or Jamaica could be the most likely options. Jamaica Football Federation general secretary Dalton Wint said the possibility of that will depend on local health protocols and those of their overseas counterparts.

"Before we consider any external games we have to know who we are playing, what is their policy, what is their protocol. Are they able to come through, or are you able to go to them? Because travel restrictions are still in place," Wint said.

Additionally Wint said that they are still awaiting new dates from Concacaf for the Under-17 championship which would determine how they will be able to organize their preparations.

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