As the Jamaica senior women’s football team looks to regain its stride, Reggae Girl Tiffany Cameron is eager to resume play after an eight-month hiatus.
Cameron, 32, was part of the historic Reggae Girlz squad that advanced to the round of 16 in the FIFA Women’s World Cup last year. Her last appearance for Jamaica was in the Olympic Games qualification play-off against Canada in September 2023.
Cameron, along with other core team members, withdrew their services for several months due to disputes over pay and other issues with the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF). Despite the hiatus, Cameron’s enthusiasm for representing her country remains undiminished, reports the Jamaican media.
‘It always brings joy to my heart to represent Jamaica’
“It always brings joy to my heart to represent Jamaica,” she said. “While I was away from international duties, I watched our games whenever they were streamed online. I was very impressed with some of our young talent. It’s crucial to remember that everyone in our pool of players is valuable and can contribute in their own unique way.”
Cameron’s first assignment back will be a two-match international friendly series against Brazil on June 1 and June 4. She is among 18 players from the World Cup squad called up for the Brazil games. The teams met at the 2019 and 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments, with Brazil winning the first clash 3-0. However, the Jamaicans secured a goalless draw last year, which allowed them to advance to the round of 16 for the first time while eliminating Brazil at the group stage.
“I’m excited to build from the World Cup because now we have a mix of World Cup players, a few new players, and some young talent, and so it will be interesting to see how we progress,” Cameron stated. “We have two very challenging games ahead, and we have to stay patient and disciplined defensively and know when it’s time to threaten Brazil’s backline.”
Optimism about the return of Hubert Busby
Cameron also expressed optimism about the return of Hubert Busby as head coach. “I am pleased to have him back,” she said. “In 2020, Coach Busby was building a healthier foundation, on and off the field, for the Reggae Girlz, and I expect him to continue to do that. I expect communication and conditions to improve amongst players, staff, and the federation moving forward.”
Busby previously served as the team’s head coach between 2020 and 2021 before being relieved of his position due to allegations made against him in a sexual misconduct investigation during his time coaching in Canada from 2010 to 2011. He was later cleared by FIFA of any wrongdoing.
Squad for matches against Brazil: Chantelle Swaby, Konya Plummer, Jade Bailey, Denesha Blackwood, Kayla McKenna, Allyson Swaby, Drew Spence, Atlanta Primus, Vyan Sampson, Peyton McNamara, Page Bailey-Gayle, Trudi Carter, Kameron Simmonds, Tiffany Cameron, Sydney Schneider, Rebecca Spencer, Niya Cardoza, Liya Brooks, Amelia Van Zanten, Jody Brown, Israela Groves, Davia Richards, Lauren Reid.
