Wired868 Wired868 for smart sport news and opinion
“[…] In local women’s football history only the outstanding Robbie Greenidge of Rossi Potentials fame has a better track record than Arnold Murphy. I might add that Murphy is catching up and may soon surpass the achievements of Greenidge.
“[…] Ms Jinelle James […] please tell Trinidad and Tobago why Arnold Murphy is not involved at any level in the coaching programmes of the women’s game…”
The following is an open letter to TTFA director of women’s football Jinelle James from Ronald Brereton of Cunupia, who is a former manager of various national women’s teams as well as the National Futsal Team:
The 2023 Trinidad and Tobago WoLF football Season is now in its closing stages with the only outstanding fixture being the final determination of the overall national champions, to be contested by the top two teams in Trinidad and the top two Tobago teams.
That being said, it is to be noted that the top Trinidad women’s football team is Club Sando, admirably coached by Mr Arnold Murphy.
Petrotrin Sports Club Ladies played unbeaten for three consecutive years, Debe High School played unbeaten for four consecutive years and this year’s victory makes it two years that Club Sando played unbeaten.
Of some significance is the fact that in 2023 only one goal was scored against Club Sando—a penalty at that. Club Sando conceded no goals in open play thus far in the 2023 season.
I am to inform you that all the teams referred to above have been coached by Arnold Murphy.
In local women’s football history only the outstanding Robbie Greenidge of Rossi Potentials fame has a better track record than Arnold Murphy. I might add that Murphy is catching up and may soon surpass the achievements of Greenidge.
This letter will not get into any name calling or bashing of any local coach involved in the women’s game because that is counter-productive. Moreover, the recent results of all of our National Women’s teams speak for themselves, in my view.
(via TTFA Media)
Ms James, I was driven to appeal directly to you because you are the head of the women’s football in this country. Please tell Trinidad and Tobago why Arnold Murphy is not involved at any level in the coaching programmes of the women’s game.
No active coach in the local women’s game has the kind of success he attained. By my own observation, players who only recently retired from playing are given coaching assignments at the national team level (development teams at that)—with no known or tested coaching experience—and coach Murphy is left out in the cold.
If you are serious about lifting the level and the further positive development of the women’s game in Trinidad and Tobago, you should agree with me that coach Murphy deserves some consideration.
It is alleged (I am not saying this is true) that you described him as only a “grassroots coach”. If this is true, then this is certainly an unfortunate position to hold.
How can a so called “grassroots coach” be this successful in the local women’s game?
In closing, let me state clearly, I am not seeking to engage you in any war of words or war in the general sense. I am only seeking some transparent explanation of what to me is clearly an oversight by the administration of women’s football in Trinidad and Tobago.
“[…] You’d be lucky to find five kids who can name five national players they admire. The conversations have vanished. Read more
“[…] The pattern is familiar: someone speaks up, gets labelled, and only later do we come to understand the weight Read more
“[…] The administration should set in place a programme to begin teaching the youngsters the technical aspects of the game. Read more
“[…] As previously mentioned, the goal of Fifa’s safeguarding efforts is to create an environment that includes preventative measures, educational Read more
“[…] Me: What I paying for? Security: To park. My husband: Who is you? Me (in a loud voice): I Read more
“[…] The fans at last night’s match had the best of intentions: to support their team and celebrate the legacy Read more
Want to share your thoughts with Wired868? Email us at editor@wired868.com.
Please keep your letter between 300 to 600 words and be sure to read it over first for typos and punctuation.
We don’t publish anonymously unless there is a good reason, such as an obvious threat of harassment or job loss.
