Busby: Shaw’s exploits will inspire the next generation

National senior women's head coach, Hubert Busby Jr, says striker Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw's goal-scoring exploits in this year's Feminine Division One, France's top-flight women's league, will inspire young female Jamaican footballers.

Shaw captured the Golden Boot award in this season's championships after topping the goal-scoring chart with 22 goals for Bordeaux. The 24-year-old Shaw finished one goal ahead of Marie-Antoinette Katoto from this year's league Champions Paris Saint Germain (PSG).

The Reggae Girlz's ace forward is the first player from Bordeaux to win the Golden Boot award. It is also the first time in a decade that the award was won by a player who does not represent powerhouses Lyon or PSG.

Not only talented in track and field

Busby Jr said Shaw has now proven on the international stage that Jamaicans are not only talented in track and field but also in women's football and once there are proper systems in place to foster their development then there could be a lot more players moving into European Leagues in the future.

"I think this should prove to be an inspiration to other young girls in Jamaica that it is okay to dream big and you have to dream big because one of our own has gone on to do some fantastic things," said the women's coach.

"The key now is to make sure that we produce and develop another 'Bunny'. That is what is really important now," he said.

Shaw's two-year contract with Bordeaux is set to expire this summer, but her performance in the French league has attracted the attention of a number of top clubs in Europe, with England's Manchester City reportedly leading the race for the Jamaican's signature.

She is set to sit out the Reggae Girlz's international friendlies against Nigeria and World champions the US, as she has been given time off to sort out her future.

The Reggae Girlz will face Nigeria on June 10 and the United States on June 13 with both matches set to be played in Houston, Texas.

Busby Jr added that he is aware that Shaw is in negotiations with a number of clubs in Europe and he is confident that she will make the best move for her and her family.

"I know that she is in discussions but nothing has been done yet but, hopefully, that is part of the reason that she is away (from the national team). She will look to sort out her future in the next weeks," he said.