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:

Trinidad and Tobago Girls National Under-14 player Taiya Thompson (right) tries to close down a Bermuda opponent during CFU U14 Challenge Series action at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on 17 August 2025.
Bermuda won 2-0.
Photo: TTFA Media.

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?

Fifa talent expert Kevin McGreskin (far left) poses with the Trinidad and Tobago Girls National U-14 team before the start of the 2025 CFU U14 Challenge Series.
Photo: TTFA Media.

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?

The Trinidad and Tobago Girls High Performance U-14 team conceded 17 times in their first two CFU Girls U14 Challenge Series contests.

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.

TTFA president Kieron Edwards (left) and Minister of Sport Phillip Watts were at the Hasely Crawford Stadium for Trinidad and Tobago’s 6-2 World Cup qualifying win over St Kitts and Nevis on 6 June 2025.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.

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 Trinidad and Tobago Girls National Under-14 team are bottom of the table after their first two CFU Challenge Series outings.
Up next? Jamaica.

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.

The Trinidad and Tobago Girls High Performance U-14 team get ready for action at the Larry Gomes Stadium during the 2025 CFU U14 Challenge Series.
Photo: TTFA Media.

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.

Fifa talent development coach and Trinidad and Tobago Girls National U-14 head coach Kevin McGreskin.
Photo: TTFA Media.

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.

Pro Series attacker Bethany Phillip (left) keeps her eyes on the ball during the RBNYFL Trinidad Girls U-17 final at the Republic Bank Sports Complex in Barataria on 17 May 2025.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.

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.

More from Wired868
Edwards says Eve will “elevate” T&T women’s team; after leaving side inactive for 18 months

Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Kieron Edwards trumpeted the appointment of Angus Eve as Women’s National Senior Team Read more

Dear Editor: Is Cooper guilty until proven innocent? Is his TTFA treatment not a threat to all coaches?

“[…] How is it acceptable, that the person who is head of the Safe Guarding Unit, was able to institute Read more

Betterment: Here’s my checklist on Corneal’s performance as TTFA technical director

“[…] Under Anton Corneal, there were efforts to rebuild youth programs and implement coaching education, but questions remain about the Read more

Dear Editor: Soca Warriors must stop begging for luck and build capacity for real success

“[…] More possession, more shots, prettier football—none of it matters without results. Sympathy doesn’t qualify teams. Goals and points do. Read more

TTFA sack Corneal; Edwards set to recommend new interim TD

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has sacked longstanding technical director Anton Corneal with immediate effect. The decision was Read more

Six games win-less for Yorke, as T&T lose 2-0 to Jamaica—following VAR interventions

Trinidad and Tobago’s 2026 World Cup qualifying fate no longer lies in their own hands. A 2-0 defeat away to Read more

Check Also

Edwards says Eve will “elevate” T&T women’s team; after leaving side inactive for 18 months

Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Kieron Edwards trumpeted the appointment of Angus Eve …

One comment

  1. Well, if there is no improvement in the national football performance, nobody will be able to point fingers at Wired868.
    After all, you can take water to the horse but better than you cyar make the horse drink.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.