Tag Archives: football youth development

“[…] A strategic plan should not simply articulate where an organisation hopes to be in four years. It should clearly demonstrate how it intends to get there, what resources are available, who is responsible for implementation and how progress will be measured. “Unfortunately, The Summit raises as many questions as …

“[…] The TTFA could work with clubs, academies, parents and relevant child-protection stakeholders to review its youth-team travel standards and safeguarding communication procedures. “Such a review could examine whether existing requirements adequately address travel authorisation, accommodation, supervision, emergency arrangements, parental communication and responsibility for children when travel plans change…” The …

“[…] A new coach may bring fresh ideas, different tactics, and renewed motivation—but if the underlying problems remain, how much can realistically change? “[…] We must honestly assess our programmes, identify what is working, correct what is failing, and ensure that resources are being used effectively to improve our football. …

“[…] Mr St Gary Rose speaks extensively about what complainants are not entitled to demand. Yet he provides considerably less clarity about the mechanisms through which his own department can be independently examined when its decisions or procedures are challenged. “Who determines whether a safeguarding officer has properly assessed a …

“[…] In April 2025, Wired868 reported that TTFA safeguarding manager Gary St Rose said his department had handled 561 reported concerns over three years. “According to his account, 23 progressed beyond counselling, 15 were settled through mediation and eight involved formal correspondence. He said formal action had been taken on …

“[…] Safeguarding is often discussed primarily in terms of protecting children and athletes from abuse, neglect, exploitation, harassment and other forms of harm. Those responsibilities remain fundamental. “However, safeguarding should not stop at preventing harm. It should also help create the conditions in which athletes can develop safely, confidently and …

“[…] Concacaf has announced that a 16-team Women’s U-17 qualifying competition will take place in February 2027, as part of the pathway to the Fifa U-17 Women’s World Cup. “[…] So why, with the competition only months away, is there seemingly no visible U-17 women’s national programme preparing the girls …

Trinidad and Tobago Boys’ National Under-14 Team head coach Randolph Boyce said his troops were placed in a tough group, after failing to advance from Group B in the 2026 CFU U14 Challenge Series, which comprised Haiti, Puerto Rico and French Guiana. The young Soca Warriors whipped French Guiana 4-1 …

“[…] I fully understand and respect the rules concerning team sheets. However, rules must also be applied with fairness, common sense, and consideration of circumstances beyond the control of participating teams. The issue was not negligence on our part. “[…] Our players, coaches, and parents invested significant time, effort, and …

“[…] Often, our instinct is to protect athletes. Making mistakes, losing races, or failing can be embarrassing, frustrating, and sometimes devastating. So, we try to make them feel better by saying things like: ‘It’s okay’, or ‘You’ll get them next time’. “While those statements may be true, they are incomplete. …

“[…] At the heart of my concern are two critical areas that I believe continue to affect the progress of football in Trinidad and Tobago, leadership and administration of the game, and the development and support systems surrounding our football stakeholders. These are not easy conversations, but they are necessary …

“[…] Even worse were the conditions under which these young women participated for the last few weeks. There were no tents, no substitute benches, no changing areas, and no toilet facilities available for the players on the training field. “Substitutes sat directly on the ground under the scorching sun, and …