TTFA, Pro League, TTSL and WOLF move to Ato Boldon Stadium; O’Brien re-elected

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) will officially start operating out of the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on 1 June 2017, as the first part of its relocation process during the construction of a National Training Centre in Couva.

Land for the National Training Centre has been sourced by the Government—just a stone’s throw from the Ato Boldon Stadium—while FIFA approved the funds for its development.

Photo: FIFA president Gianni Infantino (centre) and TTFA president David John-Williams (left) turn the sod at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva while Sport Minister Darryl Smith looks on 10 April 2017. (Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
Photo: FIFA president Gianni Infantino (centre) and TTFA president David John-Williams (left) turn the sod at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva while Sport Minister Darryl Smith looks on 10 April 2017.
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)

In the meantime, the TTFA has been allowed to take full advantage of the Ato Boldon Stadium and has offered office space to the Pro League, TT Super League (TTSL) and Women’s League Football (WOLF), which all falls under its aegis.

The local football body believes a centralised location for the major football bodies will: help streamline its operations and facilitate engagement with key stakeholders—including other FIFA member associations and local bodies.


“We are thankful to the Ministry of Sport and Sportt Company for fulfilling their promise to support football by providing us with the facility,” TTFA president David John-Williams told the TTFA Media. “I think it is a tremendous accomplishment to have the key stakeholders in local football under one roof.

“It augers well for the development of the game here in Trinidad and Tobago and it is an indication of the administration’s drive and ambitions to take the game to greater heights and with the inclusion of the stakeholders.”

Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene suggested that the TTFA’s vision in bringing the major stakeholders together under one roof would “go a long way in improving the local game.”

While TTSL interim president Keith Look Loy said his fledgling body was “pleased to have finally received recognition from the TTFA.”

Photo: A Mexico football fan (centre) poses with Trinidad and Tobago football fans before kick off of the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying meeting at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain on 28 March 2017. Mexico won 1-0. (Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Photo: A Mexico football fan (centre) poses with Trinidad and Tobago football fans before kick off of the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying meeting at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain on 28 March 2017.
Mexico won 1-0.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

“TTSL now has a permanent home from which to operate and to develop the League,” said Look Loy, “and we thank the TTFA for having facilitated this.”

WOLF president Sharon O’Brien suggested that the move was a positive step for the women’s game.

“The fact that WOLF can now have an office from which we can conduct our business is a definite boost for the league and for local women’s football,” said O’Brien. “This will help us tremendously in carrying out our day to day operations  and will be a positive step towards growing and developing the league, particularly from an administrative standpoint.”

O’Brien was returned as WOLF president in a hotly contested election on 24 May, when she was challenged by former national women’s manager Vernetta Flanders.

The current WOLF executive is: Sharon O’Brien (president), Sharon Warrick (vice-president), Jamiyla Muhammad (general secretary), Beverly Ambris Bateau (treasurer), Lisa Jo Ramkissoon (assistant secretary—operations), Harvey Jack (Tobago) (assistant secretary—administration), Claire George (assistant secretary—competitions), Rayana Boswell (public relations officer), Annalise Collette (ordinary member) and Brandon Williams (ordinary member).

Collette and Jack both represent Tobago.

Photo: WOLF president and Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) employee Sharon O'Brien (centre).
Photo: WOLF president and Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) employee Sharon O’Brien (centre).
More from Wired868
Dear Editor: Are TTFA’s proposed Statute changes about electoral reform, or redistribution of political power?

“[…] Under the proposed TTFA Statutes amendments, clubs would lose 21 votes, reducing their combined allocation from 36 to 15—a Read more

Dear Editor: On what grounds is Romain still supervising minors? And what does that say about Safeguarding process?

“[…] Mr Gary St Rose himself acknowledges that the investigations are not complete. So what exactly formed the basis of Read more

St Rose: Safeguarding “comfortable” with Romain, despite National U-15 manager facing two unresolved complaints

Trinidad and Tobago Boys’ National Under-15 Team manager Adrian Romain has been cleared to continue his duties with the national Read more

Dear Editor: 19 months without a verdict on Cooper case is a Safeguarding travesty

“[…] The TTFA’s published Safeguarding Policy and Framework (version 3.0) says the TTFA ‘shall’ impose conditions on a licence whenever Read more

Dear Editor: TTFA Safeguarding Dept can use stakeholder concerns to strengthen its operations

“[…] The TTFA could work with clubs, academies, parents and relevant child-protection stakeholders to review its youth-team travel standards and Read more

Dear Editor: T&T’s football problems go well beyond the coach—start with accountability!

“[…] A new coach may bring fresh ideas, different tactics, and renewed motivation—but if the underlying problems remain, how much Read more

Check Also

Dear Editor: Are TTFA’s proposed Statute changes about electoral reform, or redistribution of political power?

“[…] Under the proposed TTFA Statutes amendments, clubs would lose 21 votes, reducing their combined …

3 comments

  1. Nice. What about futsal, beach soccer, etc?

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.