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The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has offered one-year retainer contracts to eight Women’s National Senior Team players, so as to allow them to focus full-time on duties with the Women Soca Warriors.
The eight players selected were captain and attacker Tasha St Louis, forward Mariah Shade, playmaker Dernelle Mascall, defenders Patrice Superville, Annalis Cummings, Anastasia Prescott and Ayana Russell and forward Natasha St Louis, who is the younger sister of the team captain.
(Copyright TTFA Media)
The TTFA did not reveal the value of the contracts but they are believed to be in the range of TT$8,000 per month, which surpasses the average salary paid to men’s Pro League players. At present, the Women Warriors train as often as six days a week.
Head coach Carolina Morace selected the players based on her assessment of their performance, commitment and quality.
St Louis (T), Shade, Mascall, Superville and Prescott all started yesterday in Trinidad and Tobago’s goalless international friendly draw with Venezuela while Cummings and Russell were unused substitutes. St Louis (N) is injured at present.
The overseas-based players and students were not offered contracts but are expected to benefit from match fess and/or allowances once they return for training camps.
Shade told the TTFA Media that she was pleased with the unprecedented move for the women players.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
“I believe that this is something very positive for us because I’ve been playing with the national team since I was thirteen,” said Shade, “and we have been working so hard and not really reaping any rewards and this [gives us some] security.
“A lot of of us don’t have jobs. We have degrees but we dedicate most of our life to football. So now we can feel confident that we can take care of business on the field and then outside we also have something to work with.
“It is something good for the programme and the future of women’s football.”
Canada-based defender Arin King also commended the TTFA on the move, which president David John-Williams said recognised the time and effort the women devote to their craft.
“We made history with these retainers contracts,” said King. “A lot of people do not know that women have it very hard. In the men’s game, they are getting pro contracts and have a foundation with a salary. But sometimes we come to practice on a hungry belly.
“For the women, it’s just great to have that stability and [we are] taking the programme to a next level with this.”
(Copyright TTFA Media)
The Trinidad and Tobago women will play their second international match under Morace on Wednesday when they face Venezuela again from 7pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.
(Trinidad and Tobago team)
Goalkeepers: 1.Kimika Forbes (GK), 21.Shalette Alexander (GK);
Defenders: 8.Patrice Superville, 3.Anastasia Prescott, 5.Arin King, 20.Lauryn Hutchinson, 15.Chevonne John, 2.Ayana Russell, 4.Crystal Mollineaux, 17.Annalis Cummings;
Midfielders: 11.Liana Hinds, 12.Ranae Ward, 7.Dernelle Mascall, 6.Nia Walcott, 14.Karyn Forbes, 18.Kelsey Henry;
Forwards: 19.Laurelle Theodore, 13.Shenelle Henry, 10.Tasha St Louis, 9.Mariah Shade, 16.Ke’die Johnson.
Coach: Carolina Morace
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Truly deserved, this should be a motivational force to improve their performance. Face your challenges head on
A very good initiative. However, based on the history of this and past administrations, I remain skeptical until I see that the players are actually being paid.
Great
Now that they are being paid you can expect better match performance .
Like how it’s done with the cricketers and all other team sports in tnt
More more more performance
Mamaguy money.
What happens if a player under contract with the TTFA receives a professional contract overseas? Will the professional team have to negotiate with the TTFA and pay them accordingly?
Good question
Why not 16 hmmmm
So the women getting paid what about the male players Coach Hart. Kendall Walkes Lincoln Phillips. Sheldon Philip Anton Corneal . Ken Elie, and all the other coachs. Them really good yes.
Very good start…the women’s game is important….
The retainer contract was promised in principle about a month ago I believe Royce.
do you believe FB played a role in that ?
I wish if maylee and Kenya could rejoin the team ,that will be a plus for the team.
Paying the US based players/collage students can be a tricky proposition. NCAA rules are very strict regarding incentive to students athletes…… they could loose scholarship and spots on their team(s)
That’s why the US-based players will have to look on while they are students I guess.
Dude, the manager of the team is a former US collegiate athlete. They are perfectly aware of the rules. There are no college players or future college players on contract.
Just try keeping this as a good news story.
Kester, you’re not referring to me or the story right?
I’m guessing you didn’t read the story then Kester.
There is a way around it. Set up a scholarship fund. Then provide them as a grant for students of T&T nationals involved in sports, maintaining a certain GPA (grade point average). 3.0 is the popular one. And, Kester, sad to say, US collegiate coaches don’t give a rats ass about anything more that their pay checks. Researcher the issue and see…. They collect millions and if a student gets a free meal, the student can loss scholarship. The coaches have been silent on this issue for years ! Regards !
I was referring get to the comment.
I’m saying a good news story like this one should not be lost or side tracked with another story that is negative. We’ve not had many good ones to report on especially in the women’s game I’m hoping get the comments don’t relegate this story to one that is lost with negativity.
Janelle James is a former Division 1 collegian and had a working knowledge of the rules.
This is commendable and long overdue but it is better late than never and I sincerely hope that this does not mean that these women have to shut up and put up with any and everything i.e. the good, the bad and the ugly that is dished out to them. It is a step in the right direction if we are serious about women’s football. Well doneTTFA.
Amen Joan Layne. I agree with every line!