“[…] Trinidad and Tobago football is underperforming not due to lack of talent, but because of fragmented systems, weak development pathways, and inconsistent leadership. “The goal to success is to create a clear, sustainable pipeline from youth to senior national teams, supported by modern coaching, sport science, and consistent national …
Read More »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 …
Read More »Dear Editor: No medics, insufficient refs and ridiculous substitution rules—TTFA youth league’s chaotic start
“[…] In our U17 match, a player from the opposing team fell and broke his hand—and shockingly, there was not a single medic on site to administer first aid. “[…] Once again, there was a shortage of referees and […] the substitution rules of the TTFA National Youth League are …
Read More »Dear Editor: It’s not just coaching vs recruiting—are we coaching at modern international standards?
“[…] The question isn’t just ‘who is coaching?’ but ‘how are they coaching—and is it modern enough to compete?’ “Yes, assembling talent without growing match IQ is a dead end. But the issue extends beyond schools and clubs ‘collecting’ players. The real failure lies in a persistent lack of strategic …
Read More »Barney’s Bible: Recruiting has replaced coaching at youth level; that’s why T&T football is struggling
I wasn’t at last night’s Concacaf Men’s Under-17 Qualifiers game. I took it for granted that we would get past Barbados and the other Caribbean nations, so I was planning to go to the Mexico game only. I guessed wrong. But something I’ve been pointing to comes to the fore …
Read More »TTFA: Eddie Hart was stalwart of community development, education, and youth empowerment
“[…] Dr Eddie Hart was a stalwart of community development, education, and youth empowerment, whose dedication transcended both politics and sport. “[…] Central to Dr Hart’s legacy was the Eddie Hart Football League, a grassroots institution he founded more than four decades ago that became a cornerstone of local football …
Read More »Betterment: Here’s my checklist on Corneal’s performance as TTFA technical director
“[…] Under Anton Corneal, there were efforts to rebuild youth programs and implement coaching education, but questions remain about the tangible progress made. “Were elite player development pathways truly improved? Did we see a rise in the technical standard of our youth and senior teams? Was there a unified playing …
Read More »“It’s a way to save lives!” T&T community football coaches discuss working in the trenches
In Trinidad and Tobago, community football clubs often operate far beyond the realm of sport. In neighborhoods where violence, poverty, and social challenges persist, these clubs represent more than just a place to play. They are sanctuaries where young people find discipline, mentorship, hope, and sometimes even salvation. For many …
Read More »Dear Editor: Girls’ football development should start in primary schools—not in High Performance programme
“[…] If we were really serious, the powers that be would have engaged the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Sport about having PE teachers educated on introducing and coaching girls at the primary school level. “[…] We seem not to have the patience or appetite to do things correctly, …
Read More »Nine years since TTFA started its elite/high performance model, is T&T’s youth football better or worse off?
On 25 July, Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Kieron Edwards suggested that “progress” was being made with regards to the country’s eligibility law, which would widen the pool of players available for the national football team. The TTFA, said Edwards, was “already putting systems in place […] with …
Read More »T&T U-15 Boys struggling for flights to Aruba, with Concacaf tourney kicking off this weekend
Less than 72 hours before the Concacaf Boys’ Under-15 Championship kicks off across Costa Rica, Aruba and Curaçao, the Trinidad and Tobago outfit remain in Trinidad without a departure date. The Concacaf Championship kicks off on Saturday while the Trinidad and Tobago National Boys’ Team open their campaign on Monday …
Read More »Dear Editor: What every parent, coach, and young athlete should know about OSD
“[…] Osgood-Schlatter Disease (OSD) is an overuse injury that affects the tibial tuberosity, which is the small bump just below the kneecap where the patellar tendon of the quadriceps muscles attaches to the shinbone. “It’s most common in children and teens between 10 and 15 years old, during periods of …
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