Tag Archives: Safeguarding

Dear Editor: On what grounds is Romain still supervising minors? And what does that say about Safeguarding process?

“[…] Mr Gary St Rose himself acknowledges that the investigations are not complete. So what exactly formed the basis of the decision that the present arrangements were sufficiently safe for Mr Adrian Romain to continue supervising minors? “[…] We are repeatedly told to trust the process. But trust is not …

Read More »

St Rose: Safeguarding “comfortable” with Romain, despite National U-15 manager facing two unresolved complaints

Trinidad and Tobago Boys’ National Under-15 Team manager Adrian Romain has been cleared to continue his duties with the national youth team, despite being subject to two safeguarding complaints related to his duties during the August 2026 CFU Challenge Series. Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) Safeguarding, Player Care and …

Read More »

Dear Editor: 19 months without a verdict on Cooper case is a Safeguarding travesty

“[…] The TTFA’s published Safeguarding Policy and Framework (version 3.0) says the TTFA ‘shall’ impose conditions on a licence whenever a person is being investigated for abuse, a breach of the policy or a criminal offence. “[…] It says provisional sanctions can be appealed to the committee chair within five …

Read More »

Dear Editor: The Summit’s blind spots—TTFA presents ambitious vision; but where is the accountability?

“[…] 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 …

Read More »

Dear Editor: TTFA Safeguarding Dept can use stakeholder concerns to strengthen its operations

“[…] 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 …

Read More »

Dear Editor: Mr St Rose, safeguarding is not a shield against accountability; who protects children from failures within system?

“[…] 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 …

Read More »

Dear Editor: Child safeguarding is not a waiting game; parents have right to demand answers!

“[…] 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 …

Read More »

St Rose: Safeguarding process cannot be determined by complainant; TTFA responds to concerns

“[…] The safeguarding process belongs to the protection of the child and the proper management of risk—it does not belong to the person who happens to report the concern. “[…] A safeguarding department cannot determine its processes based upon the timeline demanded by a complainant… Once a matter enters a …

Read More »

Dear Editor: Parents’ safeguarding concerns with TTFA still unanswered; we deserve better!

“[…] A Trinidad and Tobago National U-14 player was reportedly left at Piarco International Airport at approximately 3am, after the group had already spent the better part of the previous day travelling. “It was further reported that the Team Manager departed while the minor remained alone at the airport, with …

Read More »

St Rose: Safeguarding shouldn’t stop at preventing harm—create better environments for athlete development

“[…] 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 …

Read More »

St Benedict’s College coach, Rondon, receives second Safeguarding ban; school mum on incident

St Benedict’s College assistant coach Lindsay Rondon received the dubious distinction of becoming the first football coach to be suspended twice by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) Safeguarding Department, on Tuesday. Rondon, according to a TTFA release, is suspended “in accordance with section III article 29 of the …

Read More »