Some points that the Technical Director made that I wanted to emphasize:-
1.A SEPARATE Youth Development Program - As in separate and apart from the TTFF, since they appear disinterested in true DEVELOPMENT Hence the reason he recommended that Anton Corneal CHOOSE between Asst. National coach/National under-17 Coach OR Youth development Officer, as the latter is a very important Long-term focus while the other two are more (short-term) RESULT oriented. Personally I agree, because Anton seems to want to be involved in EVERYthing, and when one stretches themselves too thin, they end up failing to do the best they are capable of. The TD also repeated his desire to bring on stream a NATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE specifically for Youths (As obtains in the US and other developed Football nations) so that the elite players destined for national team selection, can "eat, sleep and drink' football.
2. The Formation of a vibrant National Football Coaches Association of T&T (NFCATT). He stressed that (Local) Coaches need to EMPOWER themselves and speak with ONE voice, rather than the current back-biting and "voices crying in the wilderness. It would also help prevent the treatment of local coaches with disrespect as has obtained in the past.
3. Community-Based Projects like the number of Coaches certified at different levels over the course of the past 2 years, who are now in possession of the requisite skill sets to take back what they have learnt into the Communities. This is one clear example of how funds WERE indeed allocated and have BEEN accessed for DEVELOPMENT. He cited the recently conducted Goalkeeping Course that will see an improvement in this area of the game in years to come.
4. For the FIRSt time, the TD has ensured that we (T&T) are engaging the services of external training (ie the Dutch Team currently conducting courses) but WE are directing them to focus the training on areas where WE recognise our deficiencies lie. So the dutch are conducting courses for coaches at various levels on - Ball possession,Finishing, speed of play, defending and identifying Elite players.
Bottom line here folks there a LOT of positives going on BEHIND the scenes, but the info is NOT being relayed to the public. This is ONE of the reasons radio programs like these are worth listening to, because it allows us as fans, an avenue for us to hear things we do not read in the press.
