Dear Editor: Where is Arnold Murphy’s national women’s coaching post?

“[…] In local women’s football history only the outstanding Robbie Greenidge of Rossi Potentials fame has a better track record than Arnold Murphy. I might add that Murphy is catching up and may soon surpass the achievements of Greenidge.

“[…] Ms Jinelle James […] please tell Trinidad and Tobago why Arnold Murphy is not involved at any level in the coaching programmes of the women’s game…”

Club Sando Women’s coach Arnold Murphy lifts the 2022 WoLF trophy.

The following is an open letter to TTFA director of women’s football Jinelle James from Ronald Brereton of Cunupia, who is a former manager of various national women’s teams as well as the National Futsal Team:

The 2023 Trinidad and Tobago WoLF football Season is now in its closing stages with the only outstanding fixture being the final determination of the overall national champions, to be contested by the top two teams in Trinidad and the top two Tobago teams.


That being said, it is to be noted that the top Trinidad women’s football team is Club Sando, admirably coached by Mr Arnold Murphy.

Petrotrin Sports Club Ladies played unbeaten for three consecutive years, Debe High School played unbeaten for four consecutive years and this year’s victory makes it two years that Club Sando played unbeaten.

Arnold Murphy’s 2019 WoLF Coach of the Year title.

Of some significance is the fact that in 2023 only one goal was scored against Club Sando—a penalty at that. Club Sando conceded no goals in open play thus far in the 2023 season.

I am to inform you that all the teams referred to above have been coached by Arnold Murphy.

In local women’s football history only the outstanding Robbie Greenidge of Rossi Potentials fame has a better track record than Arnold Murphy. I might add that Murphy is catching up and may soon surpass the achievements of Greenidge.

This letter will not get into any name calling or bashing of any local coach involved in the women’s game because that is counter-productive. Moreover, the recent results of all of our National Women’s teams speak for themselves, in my view.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago Women’s National Senior Team players utilise EPTS devices during a training session in 2021.
(via TTFA Media)

Ms James, I was driven to appeal directly to you because you are the head of the women’s football in this country. Please tell Trinidad and Tobago why Arnold Murphy is not involved at any level in the coaching programmes of the women’s game.

No active coach in the local women’s game has the kind of success he attained. By my own observation, players who only recently retired from playing are given coaching assignments at the national team level (development teams at that)—with no known or tested coaching experience—and coach Murphy is left out in the cold.

If you are serious about lifting the level and the further positive development of the women’s game in Trinidad and Tobago, you should agree with me that coach Murphy deserves some consideration.

Club Sando women’s team captain Jahra Thomas (left) and coach Arnold Murphy lift the 2023 WoLF trophy.

It is alleged (I am not saying this is true) that you described him as only a “grassroots coach”. If this is true, then this is certainly an unfortunate position to hold.

How can a so called “grassroots coach” be this successful in the local women’s game?

In closing, let me state clearly, I am not seeking to engage you in any war of words or war in the general sense. I am only seeking some transparent explanation of what to me is clearly an oversight by the administration of women’s football in Trinidad and Tobago.

More from Wired868
Dear Editor: The Summit’s blind spots—TTFA presents ambitious vision; but where is the accountability?

“[…] A strategic plan should not simply articulate where an organisation hopes to be in four years. It should clearly 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

Dear Editor: Mr St Rose, safeguarding is not a shield against accountability; who protects children from failures within system?

“[…] Mr St Gary Rose speaks extensively about what complainants are not entitled to demand. Yet he provides considerably less Read more

St Rose: TTFA Safeguarding procedure will not be influenced by external pressure

“[…] Our responsibility is not to respond to the loudest voice, but to protect every child according to their individual Read more

Dear Editor: Child safeguarding is not a waiting game; parents have right to demand answers!

“[…] In April 2025, Wired868 reported that TTFA safeguarding manager Gary St Rose said his department had handled 561 reported Read more

Check Also

Dear Editor: The Summit’s blind spots—TTFA presents ambitious vision; but where is the accountability?

“[…] A strategic plan should not simply articulate where an organisation hopes to be in …

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.