“[…] The administration should set in place a programme to begin teaching the youngsters the technical aspects of the game. “In my opinion, we have ‘fly by night’ coaching schools that suck thousands of dollars from parents with false promises. These coaching schools should be run by licensed coaches…” The …
Read More »Noble: Where’s youth sport support? They want nice corn soup—but won’t invest in planting corn
The following is part two of an interview with FC Santa Rosa founder and head coach and ex-Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) technical committee chairman Keith Look Loy interview: Clubs no longer have roots in their communities. This uprooting leaves room for other institutions, like gangs, to attract young …
Read More »Noble: Rebuild T&T through sports—the untapped potential of elite and grassroot football
Natasha Wilson’s words came to me while reflecting on my interview with Keith Look Loy. In significant ways, her calypso summed up Keith’s sentiments: Sweet T&T, is my country/ I want you to know that I love you/ Every creed and race, have an equal place/ So let’s work together …
Read More »New TTFA exec set to veto National U-17’s Florida tour plans for Jamaica outing
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) is poised to change the travel plans of its Men’s National Under-17 Team in what looks to be the first meaningful change of the new Kieron Edwards-led executive. The young Soca Warriors were due to depart today for a seven-day camp in Florida. …
Read More »PUFA’s Gothia adventure: Claims of discrimination, safeguarding concerns, and missing documents
In February 2023, immediately after receiving official word of their successful application to participate in the 16-22 July Gothia Cup in Gothenburg, Sweden, Powerful United Football Academy (PUFA) owner Nyron Jones began work on getting his team to the event. The aim was to take 33 boys plus staff and …
Read More »Radanfah: Maximising Levi’s talent, why Natty’s a dread attacker and T&T’s inhibited talent pool
“[…] Trinidad and Tobago players are limited in their exposure to top level football [and] it makes it difficult for us to compete with teams who have players playing at that level. I don’t like to get into people’s selection, you can’t carry everybody—but I think [Angus Eve’s] selections are …
Read More »Dear Editor: The Republic Cup NYFL can and should do better than this
“[…] The fields that are being used offer little or no amenities for players, especially females, and supporters—not even water. Shame. “[…] We have players registered with one club appearing for another club, and indeed, I know of at least one professional player who has appeared in the East U20 …
Read More »Republic Cup NYFL kicks off this weekend, with over 3,000 players and TT$31,500 in cash prizes
The Republic Cup National Youth Football League will kick off its 2023 season this weekend, with over 70 clubs involved nationwide and more than 3,000 young players registered. At stake are trophies, medals and TT$31,500 in cash prizes for the top three teams in each of six categories. The 2023 …
Read More »Najjar: Is it “about attitude”? T&T U-17s did well but lacked ability and application
“[…] That the USA and Canada did not steamroll the young Warriors showed we possessed that fighting for all-the-marbles, attitude… But truly, is it only ‘about attitude’? “We showed the right attitude in all four games but did not win a single game—not even against Barbados whose only goal was …
Read More »NLCL Community Cup adds U-15 division in March, plus U-19 round-up
Midway through its third season, the NLCL Community Cup tournament has announced its imminent expansion, with the under-19 competition now spreading to also include an under-15 division. NLCL managing director Brian Jordan said the new age bracket will kick off in “late March”, following the conclusion of the current U-19 …
Read More »Dear Editor: When will our young people be allowed to return to the field of play?
“[…] We were already behind before Covid-19 hit; how far off the pace would we be when and if football, or sports on a whole, is ever reopened? “Players and coaches alike are all feeling left out as we hear at every press conference news of sectors being opened or …
Read More »B&B (Trailer): Hutson Charles: The problem with T&T’s national youth teams
Former Strike Squad stand-out and Concacaf Club Championship winner Hutson ‘Baba’ Charles, the current Men’s National Senior Team assistant coach, suggests where Trinidad and Tobago repeatedly fall short in developing national youth football teams. Look out for Charles’ full interview on the Burdie and Barney Show on Wednesday 8 September …
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