Tag Archives: football youth development

“[…] I fully understand and respect the rules concerning team sheets. However, rules must also be applied with fairness, common sense, and consideration of circumstances beyond the control of participating teams. The issue was not negligence on our part. “[…] Our players, coaches, and parents invested significant time, effort, and …

“[…] Often, our instinct is to protect athletes. Making mistakes, losing races, or failing can be embarrassing, frustrating, and sometimes devastating. So, we try to make them feel better by saying things like: ‘It’s okay’, or ‘You’ll get them next time’. “While those statements may be true, they are incomplete. …

“[…] At the heart of my concern are two critical areas that I believe continue to affect the progress of football in Trinidad and Tobago, leadership and administration of the game, and the development and support systems surrounding our football stakeholders. These are not easy conversations, but they are necessary …

“[…] Even worse were the conditions under which these young women participated for the last few weeks. There were no tents, no substitute benches, no changing areas, and no toilet facilities available for the players on the training field. “Substitutes sat directly on the ground under the scorching sun, and …

“[…] Trinidad and Tobago football is underperforming not due to lack of talent, but because of fragmented systems, weak development pathways, and inconsistent leadership. “The goal to success is to create a clear, sustainable pipeline from youth to senior national teams, supported by modern coaching, sport science, and consistent national …

“[…] Player safety is a critical consideration. Athletes in the U-15 age group are still developing physically. Allowing unlimited substitutions helps manage fatigue. “Third, it (unlimited substitutions) promotes team participation and morale. Providing opportunities for all players to contribute and builds team unity. When athletes feel involved and valued, they …

“[…] In our U17 match, a player from the opposing team fell and broke his hand—and shockingly, there was not a single medic on site to administer first aid. “[…] Once again, there was a shortage of referees and […] the substitution rules of the TTFA National Youth League are …

“[…] The question isn’t just ‘who is coaching?’ but ‘how are they coaching—and is it modern enough to compete?’ “Yes, assembling talent without growing match IQ is a dead end. But the issue extends beyond schools and clubs ‘collecting’ players. The real failure lies in a persistent lack of strategic …

I wasn’t at last night’s Concacaf Men’s Under-17 Qualifiers game. I took it for granted that we would get past Barbados and the other Caribbean nations, so I was planning to go to the Mexico game only. I guessed wrong. But something I’ve been pointing to comes to the fore …

“[…] Dr Eddie Hart was a stalwart of community development, education, and youth empowerment, whose dedication transcended both politics and sport. “[…] Central to Dr Hart’s legacy was the Eddie Hart Football League, a grassroots institution he founded more than four decades ago that became a cornerstone of local football …

“[…] Under Anton Corneal, there were efforts to rebuild youth programs and implement coaching education, but questions remain about the tangible progress made. “Were elite player development pathways truly improved? Did we see a rise in the technical standard of our youth and senior teams? Was there a unified playing …

In Trinidad and Tobago, community football clubs often operate far beyond the realm of sport. In neighborhoods where violence, poverty, and social challenges persist, these clubs represent more than just a place to play. They are sanctuaries where young people find discipline, mentorship, hope, and sometimes even salvation. For many …