TTFA should prioritise player safety and participation! NYL teams suggest rule changes

“[…] 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 are more likely to remain committed…”

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has taken over the management of the National Youth League (NYL) for the first time in 2026. And, in a departure from standard practice in national youth competition, the league kicked off without any consultation with member clubs and coaches.

Earlier this week, Crown Trace FC listed some issues during the first weekend in the Central Zone.

Wired868 allowed some more clubs to share points they would like addressed by league officials.

One regular bone of contention is the new rule for substitutions.

The NYL allows a maximum of five substitutions per match in three substitution windows, with the re-entry of players not permitted. This was later amended to allow seven substitutions at U-15 level only.

Even with the amendment, the TTFA’s new role is a sharp departure from not only the standard practice previously in Trinidad and Tobago—but is also contrary to tournament rules in development football competitions across the globe.

In Spain, unlimited substitutions are allowed from Alevines (U-11) to Cadetes (U-15) level, with subbed players allowed to return to the field. The England FA, up to U-16 level, recommends: “roll-off roll-on substitutions [which] can be made at any time during the game with permission from the referee, including players who have already been substituted.”

And an array of famous global youth competitions, such as Spain’s Donosti Cup, England’s Manchester Cup and USA’s Disney Cup, permit unlimited substitutes and the re-entry of players up to U-20 level, during stoppages—except for free kicks and corner kicks.

Here are some wide-ranging suggestions from NYL teams, Beatnix Sports Club, Creek Sports & Cultural Club, Crown Trace FC, Premier Sports Club, and Santa Cruz United Football Academy:

(Beatnix Sports Club president, Kerron Hercules)

Allowing unlimited substitutions at the U-15 level is beneficial for several important reasons.

First, player development is the primary objective at this age. Youth sport focuses on skill growth, learning, and confidence building. Unlimited substitutions ensure that more players receive meaningful game time, which supports their technical, tactical, and physical development.

Second, player safety is a critical consideration. Athletes in the U15 age group are still developing physically—allowing unlimited substitutions helps manage fatigue.

Third, it promotes team participation and morale. Providing opportunities for all players to contribute and builds team unity. When athletes feel involved and valued, they are more likely to remain committed.

Also they should try and return to playing age groups at the same venue because coaches and teams can view upcoming opponents on a match day, as opposed to going to different venues.

Issues such as the presence of medical staff and match officials, as well as upkeeping the standard of the playing field and surroundings will be easier managed by the zone coordinators if games at one facility.

(Premier Sports Club)

There should be enough officials for all games, inclusive of assistant referees (linesmen).

The substitutions at U-15 level should be fly-in and unlimited, or some reasonable allowance of that nature. Five (or seven substitutes) without the re-entry of players is not helping with development.

There should be an adjustment to the starting times of games. Why have kids playing in the midday sun under that intense heat? (Editor’s Note: at present, games kick off at 9am, 11am, and 1pm.)

Also substitutes should be able to sit in the stands in the event of the benches having no coverage or tent, especially in the heat.

Previously, U-20 teams were allowed to use three U-21 players. It does not seem that is allowed this year, but can we have some clarity in writing?

Teams should have official player IDs from the League. This is especially important for clubs who are not using the Fifa Connect. But even with the Fifa Connect, how can you be sure that someone is not playing under someone else’s name?

Player IDs would have the player’s picture and birth date information so referees can check.

Match commissioners should not be from teams playing in the league, as that is a serious conflict of interest.

(Creek Sports & Cultural Club)

I think the National Youth League should have flying subs, as it did last year, in the U-15 and U-17 divisions.

(Editor’s Note: The Republic Bank National Youth Football League allowed unlimited substitutions in the U-14/ U-15 and U-17 divisions, with the only caveat being players could not return to the field in the same half that were substituted. Therefore, a player subbed in the first half could return to the field in the second half.

In the U-20 division, teams were allowed to use their entire roster—but play a substituted player could not return to the field.)

With flying subs, we, first, get an opportunity to see more players, and, two, we can show a player what he was doing wrong send him back on to see if he can correct it.

(Crown Trace FC)

Clubs have already paid registration fees to participate in the league. Providing match balls is a basic responsibility of the organizers to ensure consistency and professionalism across all games. This is the TTFA’s league not ours.

Some clubs have multiple games on the same March day, where are we to get those many balls? Crown Trace FC will be not be providing any!

There should be unlimited substitutions in the U-15 and U-17 divisions.

At the youth level, the priority should be player development and participation. Allowing unlimited substitutions ensures that more players get valuable game time and supports the overall growth of young athletes.

It is also important that sufficient referees are assigned to each game to maintain the quality, fairness, and proper management of matches, especially since clubs have made a financial commitment to be part of the competition.

(Santa Cruz United Football Academy)

Teams should be allowed a 22-man roster for each U-15 game, rather than the 20 players allowed now. And each player must play at least two quarters of every match, with coaches responsible for ensuring that happens.

Our country suffers from a number of sporting ailments such as:

• Announcing stars too soon;
• Discarding players too quickly;
• Not encouraging speed of thought and application;
• Not using pressure as a teacher;
• Not giving enough opportunity to each player and overworking the players who are “better” at the moment.

The referee should enforce the no cursing rule with a penalty being given wherever it occurs.

There should be no forfeited games except in cases of force majeure. Instead, teams should be asked to play the game within three days. This isn’t about competition, it’s about development—and forfeiture is about scores and points.

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