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“[…] A letter was sent out on the 16th of July 2026 to all schools with its sole purpose being the determination of the league structure for 2026. The meeting was held on Wednesday 22nd July 2026 and was attended by one Tobago representative.
“The Tobago Zone has eight schools and three zonal representatives: a total of 11 votes. After lengthy deliberations, the proposal by the North Zone won by a margin of 9-6; let that sink in…”
In the following Letter to the Editor, a Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) North Zone representative explains the vote to exclude Tobago from the 2026 Premier Division, rebuffs claims of discrimination, and suggests possible solutions:
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
I am extremely disappointed in the ‘leaving Tobago out’ rhetoric aimed at creating a misconception of the issue at hand.
Please allow me the opportunity to bring clarity to an increasingly fraught situation that has now reached national discussion, without any solution other than the one currently employed.
1. For the past three seasons, the League has extended beyond the December cut-off date—one issue being the inter-island travel arrangement that has not improved.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
This past season, three titles had to be shared and one team avoided relegation based on inter-island scheduling. Noting that there will be now 17 schools instead of the 16—due to inter-island issues at the Premier Division level—and no solution offered, the [2026] season would most likely go into the second [school] term for the fourth year running.
2. Unlike Tobago schools that are financially supported by the THA, Trinidad schools depend on a grant of $8,000.00 paid after the school handled its own arrangements.
The average cost to carry a team of 18 players, coaches/technical staff, transportation to and from the game, accommodation and meals is more than the league grant covers.
This grant mainly came from the Sportsmax sponsorship arrangement that ended in 2025. My school received our $8,000.00 reimbursement in February 2026.
Despite valiant efforts from the Executive, there were no additional sponsors secured to cover this amount for the upcoming season.
Photo: Dirk Allahar/ bcreative designs/ Wired868.
3. In light of this, as early as May 2026, the North Zone proposed a solution of returning to the original structure, in order to alleviate the burden and embarrassment caused by the issues of inter-island travel.
This proposal went to all schools and was countered by a proposal from the South Zone.
Their proposal was splitting the league into two groups of eight and nine teams respectively with one round of football. Tobago teams would be included, the cost of their travel would be halved, but there would be only seven or eight games played—approximately half of North Zone’s proposal.
Phillips and Daniel both represented Trinidad and Tobago at the 2023 Concacaf U-15 Championship.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
There were merits and demerits of both proposals. However, members agreed that a 17-team season was not a consideration, noting the previous two points listed.
4. A letter was sent out on the 16th of July 2026 to all schools with its sole purpose being the determination of the league structure for 2026. The meeting was held on Wednesday 22nd July 2026 and was attended by one Tobago representative.
The Tobago Zone has eight schools and three zonal representatives: a total of 11 votes. After lengthy deliberations, the proposal by the North Zone won by a margin of 9-6; let that sink in.
There is to be a subsequent meeting to discuss relegation and promotion issues.
Blackman-Walsh is also the Tobago Zone secretary and SSFL vice-president.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
5. Secondary Schools football is an expensive endeavour for every school participating and I don’t envy principals who must juggle issues with competing sports, paying ancillary staff, upkeep of the school plant, and other important aspects that require financing.
At my daughter’s parent teacher conference meeting, the principal noted that she receives funding from the government months after the term begins. It means there is a great need for parental support in activities and basic supplies.
I hear at these same SSFL meetings, principals speak of financial challenges of their football programmes and the need for the SSFL to provide more funding. Sadly, the SSFL cannot provide this for over 100 schools, with an average of two teams per school, based on its current financial status.
Jacob was suspended for Mucurapo’s trip to Speyside yesterday.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
To allow a team to travel to Tobago for one day is equivalent to the monthly salaries for at least two workers. The principal is left with a decision to make.
The only solution to this issue is not to make it a political football, a legal issue or a separatist leaning discussion. It is simply a financial and logistical issue that requires funding, and Caribbean Airlines (CAL) accommodating a consistent revenue stream for three months.
I advise those who are in a position to assist, the shortfall, based on North Zone calculations, is approximately $180,000.00.
Photo: SSFL.
Noting the THA has had many discussions with CAL with the same issue of inter-island transport, their influence in alleviating this issue would be greatly appreciated for our beloved country and football as a whole.
When we become passionate about a situation only when it adversely affects our interests, then are we really nationally conscientious?
Let us bring material solutions to the table and, from my viewpoint, they are clear.
In the future, I advise we have the same passion for attending meetings to discuss and vote on issues that affect us in the SSFL.
Photo: Nicholas Williams/ Wired868.
Maybe I would not be writing this retort if members were like those who saw that meeting on 22nd July 2026 as very important to attend.
Editor’s Note: More than a week after the first Wired868 report on the change in the 2026 SSFL Premier Division format and three weeks after the vote to exclude Tobago schools, SSFL president Merere Gonzales is yet to make a public statement on the affair.
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I have several questions as it seems that a discussion of such an important matter needed more than a four-day notice. So, was it a virtual meeting, which could accommodate members who had previous commitments or time constraints. why so many abstentions on such an important matter?
Couldn’t the Tobago representatives be consulted after the vote before a final decision was made and published?
The final decision means that Tobago schools are disadvantaged due to no fault of theirs.