Wired868 Wired868 for smart sport news and opinion
The following post was created by Sherron Charles in Wired868’s Volley Facebook group and created a vibrant discussion:
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
The TT Pro League struggles commercially. Could someone please inform me why they see the need to invite more teams to ‘join the struggle?’ Is it because registration fees are their main source of income?
One would think that, in order to grow the league, they would put a cap on the number of participating teams and come up with a commercially viable structure.
And, when this is accomplished, THEN invite other teams, by way of promotion or invitation—a different argument for a different day—to join the league.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Editor’s Note: Read the comments sections below and join in. Please note that the most recent comments are published at the top.
Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) Safeguarding manager Gary St Rose has defended the integrity of the local body’s operation Read more
“[…] You’d be lucky to find five kids who can name five national players they admire. The conversations have vanished. Read more
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFA) has confirmed the Soca Warriors’ participation in the 2025 Unity Cup, an ‘Afro-Caribbean 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
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.
..IF the clubs have their own money but they don’t. And the way they operate they will never. And the players would then be part-time government employees. That is my point..
..If the TTPL and its clubs didn’t see this coming they’re blind. And it is overdue. Because they have a subsidy these clubs don’t even sell a ticket to enter a match. How many have a sponsor/partner? How many throw a fete to generate income? A boat ride? A raffle? A cake sale? Full time professional football in not viable in Trini. I’ve said it for years..
The football arena is very duty
There are those with ulterior motives
So they highlighting 1 thing to make it fall so that they can ease in
I have been reading most of the comments and everyone seem to know how to move forward. Yet, the decision makers are not participating or contributing or seem not to care. I believe there needs to be collaboration between the stakeholders of football. If you review all successful sports programmes, there is collaboration and support from the various levels of service providers. We are too small to be soooooo divisive.
…Not to belabor the point but USA, with which we were literal equals in 1989, has moved along while we continue talking. THIS is how develop top football. Investment in CLUBS – not schools..
http://www.socceramerica.com/article/67538/development-academy-adds-56-clubs-for-u-12-divisio.html
The first thing the pro league needs is a business model that works for this region. Secondly they need to execute said business model. Their focus must be thoroughly on the consumer/fan/supporter. This means providing the proper environment for the game to thrive. I believe smaller stadiums (2500-5000+) built and owned by the teams will increase revenue greatly. These should NOT be built on community recreation grounds. Those should be left for the public’s use. The government needs to be included and land should be leased to teams to build. Each team should find a location that is prime for development in their community or surrounding environs on which to build these stadiums. These stadiums can be funded via a myriad of ways. Naming Rights, Concessions, Luxury boxes/suites, team owners, memberships. They also need to be equipped to assist the players and entice the patron. Team club or bar, restaurant, physical therapy, top grade locker rooms, team store etc. These stadiums in turn offer new revenue streams. Parties, other sports, advertising, tv rights, preseason tournaments, merchandising etc. The current stadiums are too big and very hard to fill plus not very conducive to an electrifying atmosphere week in week out. There is no intimacy between team and crowd. The communities of these respective teams have to be more involved and the onus is on the league and teams to ensure this is done. Players need to engage the public more off the field. I do not think the product is very poor, there is talent on show. It all goes hand in hand…better players mean a better output on the field but better facilities and training and coaching means better players. This is just a mosh of ideas i presented to the league in 2015. Lack of foresight and ego may be crippling them. Well, that and lack of execution. Once these things are put in place it would be easier to see if increasing teams in the league or promotion is viable.
Lets take Point Fortin CC for instance, the were filling their stadium for the first 6 mths upon their arrival, their quality dropped considerably and the fan base dwindled to nothing
Why did the quality drop?
Small squad, late payments, poor structure, stuff like that
Well that’s the same problem the pro league as an entirety has. And all those problems are what propels players who show a glimmer of anything in the pro league to find contracts in any and every league that will have them. So if the goal is to pack stadia I don’t think that will ever be realised because all the best players leave and ppl aren’t going to come out to watch players who can’t make the national team unless said player is your relative or friend or what have you.
Developing a quality product and filling stadia are two different goals. So if there’s divergence on the goals there’ll be divergence on the solutions.
They are connected Ms Haynes, developing quality players means that there is quality on the field, once there is quality on the field, the stadiums will be filled