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“[…] Two days ago, it came to my attention, via the TTFA Facebook page, that screening for U15 boys were to be conducted for Mayaro and the North Zone on 17 and 18 May.
“This news piqued my interest and I began enquiring through the ‘grapevine’, on when the East Zone sessions would be conducted. I personally know a number of players from my team who desire to wear the red, white and black.
“Much to my surprise, I found out the East Zone team was selected two weeks ago…”
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
The following Letter to the Editor on the TTFA’s perceived inability to properly inform players and coaches of football opportunities was submitted to Wired868 by coach Alejandro:
Are there communication shortcomings within the TTFA?
Too often the public is informed of projects and programmes after the fact. Too often aspiring coaches and administrators are told courses are “coming soon, keep checking social media pages”—only to find out when the said programme is already in progress.
Edwards is the former East Zone president.
Photo: TTFA Media.
Two days ago, it came to my attention, via the TTFA Facebook page, that screening for U15 boys were to be conducted for Mayaro and the North Zone on 17 and 18 May.
This news piqued my interest and I began enquiring through the ‘grapevine’, on when the East Zone sessions would be conducted. I personally know a number of players from my team who desire to wear the red, white and black.
Much to my surprise, I found out the East Zone team was selected two weeks ago!
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Arima Araucans.
(The zonal team is meant to be the first rung towards selection for the Trinidad and Tobago team which will be compete at the 2025 Concacaf Under-15 Championship this August.)
I followed this up by reaching out to a number of club coaches/ administrators within the zone to verify. As it turned out, they were also unaware or found out at the last minute through unofficial means.
I write to seek your intervention for clarity.
The TTFA is in the process of creating a National Under-15 team to compete at Concacaf level.
Photo: TTFA Media.
Was there an open screening for the East Zone Boys U15? If yes, when and where?
Was the information shared publicly or widely to coaches within the zone? If not, why?
What were the criteria used for selection?
More importantly, what should we tell the many other talented boys who were not afforded the opportunity to present themselves for selection?
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
Whenever tragedy falls upon or from a youth, we as a country champion the call for more to be done. Those entrusted with positions of responsibility are duty-bound to do better; youth can become disenchanted by these blunders in communication.
Fix it please.
Editor’s Note: The zonal screening process for the Trinidad and Tobago Boys’ National Under-15 team is being spearheaded by the zones and not—as usually occurs—the national coach or the technical director.
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Unfortunately, this issue extends far beyond the recent national team selection. We’re witnessing the same troubling communication breakdowns in the selection process for numerous local competitions and tournaments across the country.
What’s emerging is a worrying trend: football in Trinidad and Tobago is becoming increasingly exclusive—more about who you know rather than what you bring to the game. This selective approach is quietly creating a divide, where opportunities are limited not by talent, but by access and connections.
If the TTFA is genuinely committed to building a national team composed of the best players from across the country, then a clear, inclusive, and well-structured communication and selection system must be in place. One that actively reaches into every community, finds players in every corner, and ensures no one is left out simply due to a lack of information.
This wasn’t just a missed opportunity. It reflects a deeper flaw—a critical failure in what should be stage one of a transparent, nationwide talent identification process.
If we allow these issues to continue, we risk alienating promising youth and undermining the future of our football. The system must do better. The TTFA must do better.