Dear Editor: With Fifa money and experts present, TTFA must say why teams are underperforming

“[…] How can these teams struggle so much on the international stage despite having worked with a ‘Fifa Talent Expert’ for over two years?

“[…] The Trinidad and Tobago U-14 Girls’ results suggest that presence alone is not enough if not paired with a comprehensive ecosystem of development…”

The following Letter to the Editor on the Trinidad and Tobago Girls National Under-14 and High Performance teams’ results at the CFU Girls U14 Challenge Series was submitted to Wired868 by Brandon from Port of Spain:

The current Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Girls Under-14 Challenge Series cast a harsh spotlight on Trinidad and Tobago’s youth girls football programs.

Both the Girls National U-14 team and the Girls High Performance team are set to finish at the bottom of their respective groups with heavy defeats, one game left, and no chance of advancing to the knockout stage.

This outcome raises an uncomfortable but necessary question: how can these teams struggle so much on the international stage despite having worked with a ‘Fifa Talent Expert’ for over two years?

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) proudly highlighted the involvement of a Fifa talent development coach, Kevin McGreskin, in the National U-14 team setup—an association that suggests elevated coaching quality and cutting-edge player development methodologies.

Yet the results, consecutive heavy losses (9-0 and 8-0) against regional rivals, tell a different story.

The rationale behind the Fifa Talent Expert model is to bring world-class expertise directly into the grassroots and youth teams, accelerating player growth and ultimately raising the national standards.

However, the on-field outcomes beg the question: Is this approach delivering the promised value for Trinidad and Tobago’s girls’ football?

Despite 25 months under expert guidance, the poor performances prompt a critical examination of the Fifa Talent Expert’s actual impact.

Is the coaching methodology aligned with the players’ needs and developmental stage? The gulf in results might indicate a disconnect between high-level theoretical frameworks and their practical application in local contexts.

Is there adequate infrastructure, support, and follow-up for these youth players? Talent development cannot thrive on coaching expertise alone. Facilities, consistent training opportunities, competitive match experience, and mental conditioning are vital pieces of the puzzle.

Are local coaches empowered and educated to sustain improvements after the expert leaves? Overreliance on an external figure without building local coaching capacity often leads to unsustainable progress.

Is the measuring of success too narrowly focused on metrics that do not translate into match-winning performance? Skill acquisition is important, but results in competitive tournaments remain the ultimate barometer.

The TTFA has stressed the developmental nature of these experiences and the learning curve involved, but 25 months under “top coaching” without visible progress inevitably triggers questions about the actual return on Fifa investments.

The initial appeal of bringing a “Fifa Talent Expert” into the fold is understandable: it symbolizes commitment to excellence, access to global best practices, and signals ambition to develop local football talent.

Yet the Trinidad and Tobago U-14 Girls’ results suggest that presence alone is not enough if not paired with a comprehensive ecosystem of development.

Supporters, stakeholders, and the general public have a right to understand what factors contributed to the disappointing competitive showings: whether these relate to coaching methods, infrastructure, player readiness, management, or other systemic issues.

Without communication or accountability from the authorities responsible for these programs, doubts about the effectiveness and value of such investments naturally arise.

Open dialogue about performance shortfalls and corrective measures is key to maintaining trust in the football development system and engaging fans and communities in support of rebuilding efforts.

So, questioning the silence or lack of detailed public response in this situation is both logical and appropriate. As a matter of fact, since the TTFA operates under statutes aligned with Fifa and Concacaf requirements, there is also an expectation for governance standards that include accountability and openness to stakeholders such as players, coaches, fans, sponsors, and the public.

If these experts cannot adapt their approach effectively to the local environment, or if their expertise is not complemented by proper resources and broader football development strategies, the anticipated upgrades to player performance can fall flat on their face.

For Trinidad and Tobago football to truly benefit from Fifa talent experts, it is crucial to conduct honest evaluations of coaching impact beyond reputational branding.

Strengthen local grassroots and youth football infrastructure. Expand coach education at all levels (formal and informal) for sustainable development. Emphasize competitive match experience to translate training into results. Foster a supportive system that builds player confidence and resilience.

Only by coupling expert input with structural development and accountability can Trinidad and Tobago hope to rise from the bottom of regional youth competitions and build a pipeline of genuinely elite female football talent.

Editor’s Note: Trinidad and Tobago lost 3-1 to Jamaica while the High Performance team fell 5-0 to Martinique, with both teams finishing bottom of their respective groups in the CFU Girls U14 Challenge Series.

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