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Is goalkeeping in trouble in Trinidad and Tobago?
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
I think so and I’ll offer a bit of evidence: We no longer have any goalkeepers playing in the top European leagues. This means our goalkeepers are not exposed to top quality strikers, coaching and tactical systems.
In the past we had Shaka Hislop, Clayton Ince, Anthony Warner and myself playing at a decent level in the UK. Playing at a quality level improves every aspect of your game and is crucial for your development and experience.
Those who know me personally know my ultimate ambition is to manage the national side to a World Cup final. Only time will tell whether I get that opportunity or not but I’m confident in my ability to do so.
I’ve always been a keen follower of Trinidad and Tobago football and now that I’m compiling my coaching qualifications in the UK, I’m looking at the game more analytically. I’m looking at all levels and leagues: Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL), Pro League, national at every stage — for both the men’s and women’s teams.
We need to improve our up and coming goalkeepers. This is not a slight on the goalkeepers or goalkeeping coaches in Trinidad and Tobago but an honest observation that needs urgent addressing.
(Courtesy CONCACAF)
Our young goalies are being left behind our foreign counterparts and sadly the gap is now quite big. Our goalkeepers are still blessed with admirable athleticism but that’s not all there is to it.
There are so many other attributes which make a quality goalkeeper. Technical and tactical ability, good feet, distribution, concentration, mental strength and good old hard work will all supplement your God given talent. These attributes must be stimulated in the player so they can grow.
I think the time has come for me to make a meaningful contribution to the development of the young goalkeepers in Trinidad and Tobago. It is time to share my knowledge and experience to improve our goalkeeping standards. I cannot sit back and do nothing.
While doing my courses here in the UK, I’m always asked about players and goalkeepers. Coaches over here are interested in knowing when they will see the next quality goalkeeper from Trinidad and Tobago. They also ask about programmes for their training. Sadly, there do not appear to be any.
With this in mind, I have devised a programme which Minister of Sport, Darryl Smith, now has in his possession which I believe can improve the situation and help many young talented keepers to realise their full potential. The young players are the future.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
This training programme is aimed at the SSFL goalkeepers throughout the country. The idea is for each participating school to nominate two goalkeepers for specialised training.
The programme is designed to operate for approximately 33 weeks from January to the end of August each year. It is also designed to cause as little disruption as possible to the preparation plans of the various coaches of the SSFL schools.
I have spoken to experienced coaches like Michael Grayson and Nigel Grosvenor about this programme and they were very excited as they felt it is certainly needed. Anthony Creed, SSFL president, thought that it was something long overdue.
The SSFL is quite organised and it appears to be well led by Mr Creed and his board. The SSFL and the Ministry of Sport have a unique relationship so this programme is a brilliant fit.
There are some talented kids in the league but they must be pushed on to the next level as they certainly have the potential. I must reiterate, that me offering my professional assistance and expertise is in no way a slight on the many goalkeeping coaches in Trinidad and Tobago.
I’m not professing to be a saviour but goalkeeping is my forte and it’s time I help raise the standard.
(Copyright AFP 2014/Roberto Schmidt)
We have managed somehow to produce good quality guys between our sticks: Lincoln Phillips, Michael Maurice, Earl Carter, Shaka Hislop and John Granville to name only a few, were very good. We must make sure this tradition continues.
The country must feel secure with whoever is in goal. Minister Smith is an ex-footballer. He knows the need and the importance of this programme. Our young goalkeepers can go far, very far, but not without training.
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Kelvin Jack is a former Trinidad and Tobago international football team goalkeeper and was first choice at the 2006 Germany World Cup although injury restricted him to one outing against Paraguay.
Jack is an ex-San Juan Jabloteh captain and played professionally in the UK with Dundee (Scotland) and Gillingham (England).
Manage T&T to a World Cup final? Come nah man.
doesn’t the national snr team have a gk coach ?
What about funding for the project though Narada? I’m guessing that will be the immediate issue.
I agree and I know that is always the reason we all reach this point but I truly believe with faces like these guys they cane get financial backing it just requires a bit more work but time is also a factor
Funding…….hmmmm.
Best to get your own funding, Forget the Ministry of Sports…
I keep on telling them to start the Players Association eh, and this is where the funding can also come from eh but nobody not listening to me. Them really good yes.
It’s long overdue that our many former nationals with international playing experience give back to the game. Their knowledge and expertise is needed to move the game forward. I also support Narada’s call for Kelvin Jack to this on his own merit.
I applaud this initiative but I would say that leaving in the hands of the ministry to assist especially when many move like these are on the table I’d hope is not the plan A and no need to associate too much with ssfl persons that names called in scandals. Kelvin you are prominent figure and can do this on your own merit. Just my thoughts
We have had a generation of players from David Nakhid come forward who were exposed to professional football abroad and have their coaching badges.
With all due respect to veterans like Ken Elie who served us well over the years, I feel we have to find ways to get our former pros involved.
Hahahaha I made a mistake yes my prolific goalscorer for life I saw the fella diving in the picture eh and I thought was Michael Jan Williams eh, and I thought that it was him that was doing the story eh, my apologies eh.
Who’s Kelvin Jack?
So why wasn’t Kelvin Jack and Kelvin Barkley name mentioned to eh, as two of our other best goal keepers eh, that also played in the professional leagues in foreign eh, and just recently eh Kelvin Jack was discussing about returning to start an academy where this is concern eh and I also said that a goal keeper academy was long time overdue in our sweet country and depending on natural talent like our pass goal keepers was out the window, so we have some serious ketching up to do eh. Them really good yes
Kelvin
Wishing you the best with this endeavor, as you are correct our goal keeping technical, tactical, distribution,concentration etc leaves much to be desired.
I am assuming that you have approached the MOS with a proposal for funding which I do not begrudge. However, how can we implement your excellent much needed ideas in the event there is no government support?
Also appreciate you sensitivity to local coaches, very classy respectful approach.
Great news Kelvin