Soca Warriors Online Discussion Forum
Sports => Football => Topic started by: Trini _2026 on November 04, 2019, 02:51:23 PM
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TTFA launches League of Champions.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
THE TT Football Association (TTFA) League of Champions tournament was launched yesterday, at the Home of Football, Balmain, Couva.
The inaugural event, which kicks off on Sunday and runs until April 12, will feature a number of teams who either opted out of the 2019 Terminix Super League or were deemed non-compliant, as well as a National XI (T&T Under-17 team).
Defence Force, Police, Matura ReUnited, Guaya United, Miscellaneous Laventille United, Moruga FC, Harlem Strikers, Central Soccer World and Marabella Family Crisis Centre and the Tobago-based pair of Youth Stars United and Tobago Phoenix are the other participating teams.
According to TTFA director of competitions, Sharon O’Brien, each participating club will receive $51,200,which will be split into three parts: $25,600 (which was presented yesterday to the participants); $12,800 (during the midway point of the season); and the remaining sum (minus any fees incurred) at the end of the tournament.
TTFA president David John-Williams has repeatedly claimed that the local governing body is cash-strapped.
Asked if the influx of monies for this tournament came from the FIFA Forward Programme, board member Selby Browne, who chaired the launch, replied, “The FIFA Forward Programme was a condition of the association receiving money from FIFA. That is TTFA’s money.
“When that money gets to the TTFA, it is the TTFA’s money to do what it says it will do. On an annual basis, each association will request from FIFA what its plans are.”
The teams will have to be registered under the FIFA Connect system and matches will be contested on Sundays. “The teams will participate in two rounds of football,” O’Brien said. During the launch, Browne spoke at length about the history of T&T football, the re-establishment of financial stability of T&T football and the restructuring of T&T football.
Among the dignitaries were TTFA officials Anthony Moore (who also serves as president of the Tobago Football Association) and Collin Partap.
Click here for details on the TTFA League of Champion (http://ttfootball.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/TTFA-League-of-Champions-2019_20-Season1.pdf)s
https://www.youtube.com/v/0d6TpeYmUOI
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Could someone explain this league please. How come it's only some clubs ? Why only these clubs ? etc Maybe I missed something. ..What Police team is this ? Is it an age group competition ? I think Selby tends to make my mind wander with his posturing, so I suspect I have some concentration issues.
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Could someone explain this league please. How come it's only some clubs ? Why only these clubs ? etc Maybe I missed something. ..What Police team is this ? Is it an age group competition ? I think Selby tends to make my mind wander with his posturing, so I suspect I have some concentration issues.
I took a pause during the preamble. Will try again later.
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Could someone explain this league please. How come it's only some clubs ? Why only these clubs ? etc Maybe I missed something. ..What Police team is this ? Is it an age group competition ? I think Selby tends to make my mind wander with his posturing, so I suspect I have some concentration issues.
I took a pause during the preamble. Will try again later.
I mehself.
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How is Police FC, Matura, Guaya & Phoenix going to manage playing in this league as well as having teams in the Super league?
This a one-off tourney?
Something done to secure a mandate quickly with FIFA?
Honest questions, jsut confused by it here
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WATCH: Summary of the TTFA League of Champions launch
https://youtube.com/v/Z6TAGugC_b8
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How is Police FC, Matura, Guaya & Phoenix going to manage playing in this league as well as having teams in the Super league?
This a one-off tourney?
Something done to secure a mandate quickly with FIFA?
Honest questions, jsut confused by it here
Definitely designed to rescue a point in stoppage time.
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List of teams announced as League of Champions participants:
Central Soccer World
Defence Force FC
Guaya United
Harlem Strikers
Marabella Family Crisis Centre
Matura ReUnited
Miscellaneous Laventille United
Moruga FC
National XI (U20s)
Police FC
1976 FC Phoenix
Youth Stars United
I suggest cross referencing this initiative and who is involved with the following articles and content in bold. See where it leads you.
The decisions were taken democratically by 12 of the TTSL’s 14 current member clubs. Those are: Bethel United, Club Sando, Cunupia FC, FC Santa Rosa, Guaya United, Petit Valley/Diego Martin United, Police FC, Prison Service FC, QPCC FC, RSSR FC, San Fernando Giants and UTT FC. Erin FC and Matura ReUnited were both absent.
Santa Rosa, the club of TTSL president Keith Look Loy, Bethel United, Club Sando and San Fernando Giants all retained their voting rights. However, clubs voted to remove Guaya United, Cunupia FC, Petit Valley/Diego Martin United and Police FC. The latter four were replaced by Prison Service, QPCC, RSSR and UTT.
https://wired868.com/2019/10/28/ttsl-on-election-footing-united-ttfa-appear-strengthened-after-shuffle-of-voting-delegates/
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Suspended TTSL clubs threaten legal action.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
Clubs who were debarred from entering or voting at Sunday's Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the T&T Super League at the Queen's Park Oval are now seeking legal advice that could overturn the selection of delegates for the forthcoming T&T Football Association elections on November 24.
And one member has openly called on his colleagues to throw their support behind Terminix La Horquetta Rangers managing director Richard Ferguson, whose actions to date, he said, have been an example of what should happen in local football for it to progress.
Marabella Family Crisis Centre, Harlem Strikers, Phoenix FC and 500 Spartans, among other clubs, were informed Sunday that they had been suspended as members and shareholders when they showed up for the TTSL AGM. Guaya United boss Randy Hagley also was not allowed entry into the meeting had to threaten legal action before being given entry and also being allowed to vote.
Yesterday, two days after the meeting, Marabella FCC's Terrence Boissiere and Harlem Strikers Gregory Mc Sween made it clear they are not taking the action lightly.
The two, along with other clubs executives, said they have letters of commitment from the Super League that they will be included in the 2019 edition of the tournament after they missed the 2018 season due to registration mix-ups.
"As members of the T&TFA, we were not given letters of our suspension and for what reason, which is a mandatory process. I was informed of my club's suspension while having a drink at a bar," Mc Sween told the T&T Guardian.
Boissiere and Mc Sween believe the decision to suspend them constituted a major breach of the constitution and was unfairly done by TTSL president Keith Look Loy to get delegates to vote for his United TTFA slate at the coming TTFA elections.
Cunupia FC coach Michael De Four, who was allowed to vote on Sunday, told Guardian Media that Look Loy and the Super League executive had months to decide on a date to vote for delegates, but waited until a month before the TTFA election to hastily send out information, which some members may not have gotten. He said he believed this was done deliberately to keep certain members away.
Hagley echoed similar sentiments when contacted. Guaya United was one of eight TTSL delegates before Sunday but they have now been replaced. Guaya United, Petit Valley/Diego Martin United, Police FC and Cunupia FC were replaced among the delegate listing by RSSR, Prison Service, QPCC and UTT. The new eight delegates are now FC Santa Rosa, Prisons, Queen's Park, RSSR, UTT, Club Sando, Bethel United and San Fernando Giants.
Contacted on Tuesday, Look Loy said, "The Super League is a democratic organisation, decisions were taken and the entire League stands by those decisions and what anyone else has to say is immaterial, I have no response to that.
"I am not going to engage in any bacchanal with people who have been subjected to the rule of law by the majority of the League."
Meanwhile, the TTSL confirmed that Bethel United FC, Club Sando, FC Santa Rosa, Prisons FC, Queen's Park Cricket Club, RSSR FC, San Fernando Giants FC and UTT FC had been elected to represent TTSL at the 2019 TTFA AGM. In a release, it said 12 of the TTSL's 14 clubs participated in Saturday's AGM at the Queen's Park Oval and the meeting also unanimously approved the 2018 Activity Report and Audited Financial Statement. It added that Anderson Veronique was also elected to the TTSL board at the meeting.
As far as the TTFA election is concerned, Guaya United's Hagley has openly said he will support incumbent TTFA president David John-Williams in the election race, but De Four yesterday called on members to throw their support behind Ferguson, saying he has shown what should be done by clubs to generate money and become self-sustainable, as well as how football should be managed, in the short time he has been involved in local football.
"This is a man who has shown the capability to generate funds by the way he runs his club alone. He has also shown the ability to manage the sport the way the country needs it. Unlike the other candidates who are promising to secure funds, this man will be providing his funding and I am sure he will turn the fortunes of T&T football around if given a chance," De Four said.
He added, "I cannot imagine the electorate voting for anyone else but Ferguson, knowing what he has to offer. It will be sad if that happens."
Compare and contrast. Nothing here is coincidence. It is a patchwork of disgruntled clubs, opportunism, "road paving" and dangled incentives.
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How is Police FC, Matura, Guaya & Phoenix going to manage playing in this league as well as having teams in the Super league?
This a one-off tourney?
Something done to secure a mandate quickly with FIFA?
Honest questions, jsut confused by it here
Definitely designed to rescue a point in stoppage time.
LOL take win
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No wonder we football stinks. Try making sense out this utter nonsense. DJW appears to be caught off guard a bit by the Wallace camp. But he is using his TTFA position and Concacaf-Fifa connection to squash Wallace. Straight in the footsteps of the special advisor.
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Where did the $ for this road paving project emerge from? Was that stated in the long version?
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Could someone explain this league please. How come it's only some clubs ? Why only these clubs ? etc Maybe I missed something. ..What Police team is this ? Is it an age group competition ? I think Selby tends to make my mind wander with his posturing, so I suspect I have some concentration issues.
I took a pause during the preamble. Will try again later.
I mehself.
Ah now start to watch the video again ... so ah say lehme start deep in de proceedings to see how thing progressed. Ah click around minute 23:00 to find Selby laying it on thick with each check pre$ented, but de REAL classic was the presentation to Lt. Ryan Ottley of Defence Force:
"Officer, it's a distinct pleasure to make this presentation to the Defence Force and we feel that your ... [very pregnant pause] ... decision is well-placed ... in its loyalty to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Trinidad and Tobago Football Association. Thank you!"
A masterclass in nearly subliminal messaging. :) :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
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The national U20's. Can anyone give a full readout of the possible college/university eligibility fall out from taking part in this 'league'?
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The national U20's. Can anyone give a full readout of the possible college/university eligibility fall out from taking part in this 'league'?
Frankly, if you're playing in this league you probably shouldn't be interested in going to college.
Other than that, potentially, prize money clauses (not sure whether this policy will be revised as the NCAA restructures its policy) could be one area of concern.
As far as I gather, this competition is ostensibly an amateur venture on the face of it.
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do we have a U20 team in training?
Who's our U20 coach ?
I'm hoping the word going around is false, that the U-15 team is the National team being used in this tourney......
first round is this weekend.
anyone heading ato boldon for the "national Eleven's" game?
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TTFA's gimmick league - United TTFA
By Walter Alibey (T&T Guardian)
The United TTFA, being led by William Wallace, views the new T&T Football Association's League of Champions tournament as a mere political gimmick.
The tournament was launched on Monday morning, mere hours before president David John-Williams revealed that financial commitment purported to have been given by the Junior Sammy Group of Companies to the United TTFA group, was a fake.
Yesterday the United TTFA, in its third release in less than a week, said the League of Champions was a move to create an impression that the John-Williams administration was doing something for local club football.
on Wednesday the United TTFA said that the League was also designed to undermine the T&T Super League, as the general policy of United TTFA is to promote football in T&T, and within that, to foster the development of club football.
Wallace, who heads the slate alongside his vice presidents- Clynt Taylor (CFA), Sam Phillips and Susan Joseph-Warrick, said "United TTFA condemns the use of our club football as a mere tool in the political arsenal of the David John-Williams administration, and as cheap gimmicky ahead of the 24 November TTFA annual general meeting (AGM) for the election of officers.
United TTFA promises the TTFA electorate and the people of T&T that it will adopt the necessary measures to establish a proper elite league in 2020, the groundwork for which has already been laid."
They noted the group drew its conclusion based on (1): A proposal for the formation of the league has not been submitted for approval to the TTFA Board of Directors, 2:The clear absence of objective criteria in the selection of the league's membership. Specifically, we point to a) the fact that of the fourteen proposed members only three are 2018 champions (of CFA, SFA and NFA), b) the inclusion of two clubs that have not participated in regional or any other TTFA-affiliated football since 2017, and c) the inclusion of several clubs that have been legitimately suspended by the TT Super League.
3. United TTFA also notes: a) TTFA website information on this league includes a "National Under-20 team", which is a clear hoax as the TTFA Board of Directors has not authorized the formation of, nor appointed a staff to, any such national team to participate in this league, and b) TTFA website information also includes reference to two TT Super League clubs - Prisons FC and Petit Valley/Diego Martin United FC - which are not participating in this so-called TTFA League of Champions, while fixtures include the former:
4. The David John-Williams administration has not met with the TTFA Referee Committee to discuss and organize match officials for this league. This is disrespectful and unprofessional.
5. United TTFA is alarmed at the fact that the David John-Williams administration is prepared to spend approximately one million dollars (TTD 1M) on a pick up league when it consistently maintained it did not have funding for the proposed T-League that was agreed to under a Memorandum of Agreement signed by TTFA, the TT Pro League and the TTF Super League. United TTFA calls for disclosure of the source of funding for this league.
RELATED NEWS
League of Champions no election gimmick.
By Jelani Beckles (Newsday).
United TTFA questions timing of new league but DJW says,
IT continues to be a war of words between the president of the TT Football Association (TTFA) David John-Williams and the United TTFA leading up to the TTFA elections on November 24.
A press conference was held, on Monday, to announce that the newly formed TTFA League of Champions tournament will be played from Sunday to April 12.
Defence Force, Police, Matura ReUnited, Guaya United, Miscellaneous Laventille United, Moruga FC, Harlem Strikers, Central Soccer World and Marabella Family Crisis Centre and the Tobago-based pair of Youth Stars United and Tobago Phoenix are among the participating teams.
A press release issued yesterday by The United TTFA questioned the timing of the new league as it comes less than three weeks before elections.
“The general policy of United TTFA is to promote football in TT, and within that to foster the development of club football. Nonetheless, United TTFA holds the view that the new league to be launched by the David John-Williams administration on 10 November – the so-called TTFA League of Champions – is a political gimmick intended to create the impression that TTFA is doing something for local club football and to undermine the TT Super League.”
The release added that it has based this conclusion on a number of factors including the TTFA not meeting with the TTFA Referee Committee to discuss and organise match officials for this league. According to the United TTFA this is disrespectful and unprofessional. The United TTFA is also questioning the FA’s source of funding to start the league after continuously complaining about a shortage of funds.
United TTFA promised the TTFA electorate and the people of TT that it will adopt the necessary measures to establish a proper elite league in 2020.
In response to the release by United TTFA, John-Williams told Newsday the TTFA tried to unify football in TT months ago by creating a two-tier league involving Pro League teams in the first tier and Super League teams in the second tier.
The teams in the second tier would have tried to earn promotion to the second tier, but that proposal was blanked by the TT Super League. The president of the TT Super League is Keith Look Loy, who is part of the United TTFA.
John-Williams said the TTFA League of Champions tournament is for the interest of football and not about politics.
“The TTFA is responsible for football in this country and it is not a political gimmick because if it was a political gimmick it would have been teams who (were) involved with delegates would have playing in the league. None of those clubs could vote.”
John-Williams, the president of local club W Connection said he knows the value of club football. “The football is the football and the politics is the politics. I am a person who grew up in the football, I did not grow up in the politics. I was accustom running my club in a particular way and you never hear my club being political. For some reason, people felt I was important to run the football affairs of this country and I do it as a national service. I know about players, I know about running a club, I know how players feel, I know the importance of club football. That is another attempt to distract what is right.”
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I stand corrected
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I stand corrected
As in you are now convinced it's a gimmick?
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I stand corrected
As in you are now convinced it's a gimmick?
Two days before the league starts. Where are the fixtures?
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Are telling allyuh. Straight out of the jack warner text book.
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Suspended 4 in TTFA League of Champions.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
Clubs who were deemed non-compliant and who could not qualify to play in this year’s Terminix Super League now have the opportunity for action in the new T&T Football Association’s League of Champions.
The new tournament will feature the three of the four suspended Super League clubs — Defence Force, Harlem Strikers and Marabella Family Crisis Centre, together with Guaya United, Police FC, Matura ReUnited, Miscellaneous Laventille, Moruga FC, Central Soccerworld, Tobago Phoenix and Tobago Youth Stars. The tournament will also see guest appearances from the country’s National Under-17 team under a National XI banner. The competition will run until April 12 next year.
At a launch at the Home of Football in Couva on Monday, it was revealed that each club will receive a hefty sum of $51,200 in parts, before, during and at the end of the tournament.
It is understood the clubs received $25,600 on Monday and are set to collect another $12, 800 midway through the season, with the remaining amount at the end.
T&TFA board member and chairman of the committee charged with the responsibility of transforming T&T football, Selby Browne, Director of Competition Sharon O’Brien and other board members Colin Partap, Central Football Association (CFA) representative and Anthony Moore (Tobago Football Association) were present at the launch.
Browne said the tournament was a move toward the development of the sport in T&T, noting, “The next structure, the next initiative is the restructuring of football in T&T and the pathway to national A-League football. The Board of Directors of the T&TFA unanimously appointed a committee to deal with all aspects restructuring football in T&T, to which we have had a tremendous response.”
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TTFA 'League Of Champions' in disarray.
T&T Guardian Reports.
The new League of Champions, being put on by the T&T Football Association is in disarray, the United TTFA, being headed by William Wallace, believes.
On the League's opening day Sunday, some matches did not have any official referees, while others had to be postponed.
The United TTFA, in a release on Monday said the league was put on to help incumbent TTFA president David John-Williams with his election campaign on November 24.
"United TTFA wishes to underline the abjectly political nature and timing of the League of Champions launched by the David John-Williams administration ahead of the TTFA elections of 24 November. This competition, which has nothing to do with the development of the local club game and everything to do with John-Williams shoddy election campaign, kicked off yesterday without TTFA referees."
The release stated also that the match between Defence Force and Laventille United FC was played with three unofficial referees supplied by Defence Force, as no TTFA referees turned up. And the match between Police FC and Marabella FCC was played with two unofficial Police assistant referees, as for yet another time, as there were no TTFA referees at the venue.
It noted "The match between Guaya United FC and Harlem Strikers FC was played with unofficial referees appointed by both teams. No TTFA referees turned up. The match between 1976 Phoenix FC and Youth Stars FC was postponed because the former is playing in the TT Pro League FCB Cup, i.e. playing with one team in two TTFA competitions simultaneously."
"The match between Matura Reunited FC and Central Soccer World was played with unofficial referees appointed by both teams. No TTFA referees turned up. And the match between Moruga FC and "National Team" was postponed. In this regard, United TTFA understands the "National Team" referred to in the fixtures is the national Under-15 team. The players have been required to register."
The United TTFA group which has already rolled out an impressive plan to manage the affairs of the sport from November 24 should they be elected, has called John-Williams to clarify why national team would comprise 14 and 15 years olds, which they consider to be a transgression of every principle of child physiological and psychological development and every requirement for the development of young talents.
The group believes the staging of the League of Champions is a show of utter disrespect for all TTFA referee bodies, by not approaching them to discuss referee services and the payment.
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"The match between Matura Reunited FC and Central Soccer World was played with unofficial referees appointed by both teams. No TTFA referees turned up. And the match between Moruga FC and "National Team" was postponed. In this regard, United TTFA understands the "National Team" referred to in the fixtures is the national Under-15 team. The players have been required to register."
Only this directionally bankrupt administration would find 'make believe' continuity for the U15s but condemn the U23s and U21/20s to pasture. :whip:
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The United TTFA group which has already rolled out an impressive plan to manage the affairs of the sport from November 24 should they be elected, has called John-Williams to clarify why national team would comprise 14 and 15 years olds, which they consider to be a transgression of every principle of child physiological and psychological development and every requirement for the development of young talents.
Ah betting there won't be another hastily arranged press conference to explain the hastily arranged "fake league" that is a Get Out The Vote project and 'make work' venture that defies all sort of footballing rationality.
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The United TTFA group which has already rolled out an impressive plan to manage the affairs of the sport from November 24 should they be elected, has called John-Williams to clarify why national team would comprise 14 and 15 years olds, which they consider to be a transgression of every principle of child physiological and psychological development and every requirement for the development of young talents.
Ah betting there won't be another hastily arranged press conference to explain the hastily arranged "fake league" that is a Get Out The Vote project and 'make work' venture that defies all sort of footballing rationality.
So they have the U15's competing in an adult league? That's not ideal and can actually be counteractive to their development for players at such a young age. It's funny because I just read something in DJW campaign for President that Seeker self highlighted on another thread, item #8 about tested and tried methods for youth development lol
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The United TTFA group which has already rolled out an impressive plan to manage the affairs of the sport from November 24 should they be elected, has called John-Williams to clarify why national team would comprise 14 and 15 years olds, which they consider to be a transgression of every principle of child physiological and psychological development and every requirement for the development of young talents.
Ah betting there won't be another hastily arranged press conference to explain the hastily arranged "fake league" that is a Get Out The Vote project and 'make work' venture that defies all sort of footballing rationality.
So they have the U15's competing in an adult league? That's not ideal and can actually be counteractive to their development for players at such a young age. It's funny because I just read something in DJW campaign for President that Seeker self highlighted on another thread, item #8 about tested and tried methods for youth development lol
I await the official response.
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Police hit Marabella for six.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
POLICE thrashed Marabella Family Crisis Centre 6-1 on Sunday, on Match Day One of the TTFA (TT Football Association) League of Champions.
Donavon Derrick scored a hat-trick, in the 14th, 63rd and 88th minutes, while Ian Saunders (61st and 89th) netted twice and Jervon Ramie (85th) notched the other item.
Patrick Pierre got the consolation strike for Marabella Family Crisis Centre, in the 35th.
Guaya United got the better of Harlem Strikers 3-1 in Sunday’s other meeting.
Carlon Hughes netted a pair, after finding the back of the net in the 75th and 81st minutes, after Keston Frontin opened the scoring for Guaya, on the hour-mark.
Osaze Springer was the goal-getter for Harlem, in the 76th.
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TTFA Statement on League of Champions
TTFA Media
Trinidad and Tobago Football Association President William Wallace and officials of the FA met with representatives of the clubs participating in the recently launched TTFA League of Champions at the Ato Boldon Stadium today.
Following cordial discussions, the TTFA advises that the following decisions were reached:
- The TTFA is not in a position to support the running of the League after it was discovered that there is inadequate funding for this purpose.
- The clubs have agreed to have the league condensed to one round with matches resuming on the weekend of December 14th, with the clubs covering all costs incurred.
- The withdrawal of the National Elite Under 15 Team.
- The TTFA will launch a new League structure next year, subject to board approval.
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I think most forumites felt that This DJW league was a vaps league in reaction to WW and Utd TTFA emergence for the just held election.
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TTFA: No $$ for League of Champions
By Joel Bailey (T&T Newsday)
THE T&T Football Association (TTFA) has withdrawn its support from the League of Champions tournament, which was launched by former president David John-Williams last month.
This decision was made after a meeting, on Thursday, at the Ato Boldon Stadium, in Couva, between TTFA president William Wallace, TTFA officials and representatives of the participating clubs. According to a TTFA media release, “The TTFA is not in a position to support the running of the League after it was discovered that there is inadequate funding for this purpose.”
The media release continued, “The clubs have agreed to have the league condensed to one round with matches resuming on the weekend of December 14, with the clubs covering all costs incurred.” The League of Champions tournament was launched on November 4, at the Home of Football, Balmain, Couva. The inaugural event, which was initially set to run until April 12, featured a number of teams who either opted out of the 2019 Terminix Super League or were deemed non-compliant, as well as a National XI (TT Under-15 team).
Defence Force, Police, Matura ReUnited, Guaya United, Miscellaneous Laventille United, Moruga FC, Harlem Strikers, Central Soccer World and Marabella Family Crisis Centre and the Tobago-based pair of Youth Stars United and Tobago Phoenix are the other participating teams. The Under-15 team will no longer be a part of this event, while the TTFA plans to launch a new league structure in 2020, subject to board approval.
At the launch, then TTFA director of competitions, Sharon O’Brien, mentioned that each participating club will receive $51,200,which will be split into three parts: $25,600 (which was presented to the participants during the launch); $12,800 (during the midway point of the season); and the remaining sum (minus any fees incurred) at the end of the tournament. Asked if the influx of monies for this tournament came from the FIFA Forward Programme, Selby Browne, who chaired the launch, and who was an ally of ex-president David John-Williams, then replied, “The FIFA Forward Programme was a condition of the association receiving money from FIFA. That is TTFA’s money.
“When that money gets to the TTFA, it is the TTFA’s money to do what it says it will do. On an annual basis, each association will request from FIFA what its plans are.”
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The national U-15s, huh? :) Hold tight.
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Least shocking announcement ever
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TTFA League of Champions back on.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
Defence Force, Guaya United and Moruga FC are three of 11 teams that are yet to received their first-tranche of $25, 600 for their participation in the T&T Football Association- sanctioned League of Champions.
Yesterday Randy Hagley, the Guaya United boss said his cheque was cancelled by someone from the football association after he refused to return it upon a request by the TTFA.
The League was initially given the go-ahead by the then David John-Williams-led football association to run for two years, before the William Wallace-led administration stopped it upon their successful election as the sports new administrators, citing a lack of funds.
But the TTFA Board reverse its decision upon consultation with the world governing body for football - FIFA.
Hagley said monies from the FIFA Forward Project was approved for it.
However, on Wednesday, a vice president from the TTFA, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the TTFA sought advice from the world governing body for football (FIFA) regarding the alleged wrongful use of the FIFA Forward funds for a purpose it was not originally given.
He told Guardian Media Sports the FIFA Forward funds were given for the FIFA/UEFA-recommended T-League, which was set to be the premier football competition in T&T. It was also expected to be on par with some of the top European Leagues, such as in England, Spain, Italy and France etc.
According to the TTFA executive, "David John-Williams used it for the wrong purpose, and therefore we were told that no more money would have been forthcoming for the League of Champions. It is up to the TTFA to sanction the LOC or not, but if it is not sanctioned, then the football association will have to take back the monies given to the clubs," the source said.
He added, "Now if the League is sanctioned, then the TTFA will have to source its funds to pay the clubs. However, we at the TTFA have decided that the tournament will go only for one round."
Although the T&TFA official said the clubs would run its own competition, a fixture of the final round showed it was made up by the football association.
Upon being given the first tranche of $25,600, the clubs are to receive another payment of $12,250 and the remaining amount of an overall total of $51,000, at the end of the second round.
Hagley said a meeting of the football association, the T&T Pro League clubs and the T&T Super League was scheduled to be held yesterday to determine if the LOC will have a second round.
The final round of matches in the first round began yesterday with Youth Stars of Tobago holding Defence Force to a 1-1 tie at Bethel Grounds in the lone fixture.
The other matches will be held on Sunday. They include Guaya United coming up against Police at New Lands Ground, Guayaguayare: Miscellaneous Laventille versus Central Soccer World at St Mary's Ground, St Mary's: Moruga FC coming up against 1976 Phoenix at Caanan Recreation Ground: and Matura ReUnited up against Harlem Strikers at St Mary's Ground, St Mary's.
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I thought this would have been a good time to have reinstated the National Elite Under 15 Team to this competition.
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I thought this would have been a good time to have reinstated the National Elite Under 15 Team to this competition.
What's elite about the League of Champions? Square hole, round peg.
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I thought this would have been a good time to have reinstated the National Elite Under 15 Team to this competition.
What's elite about the League of Champions? Square hole, round peg.
Does it have to be elite? Perhaps this might be a useful initial step to introduce them to a more physical environment than the colleges league they are used to. Might be an insightful gauge as to who can elevate their game understanding, aggression, speed, and risk taking,. The same qualities the Tech stated it wants the T&T player defined by, at every level.
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I thought this would have been a good time to have reinstated the National Elite Under 15 Team to this competition.
Correct.We supposedly have a player and tactical template now. Let them test it in the fire of competition.
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Disagree totally. The theory being subscribed to by those in favour of placing them in the League of Champions is the Theory of Big Man Football. What they need as a team is structured development not unstructured physicality against haphazard opposition. None of their colleagues in a systemic U15 NT environment are being tossed to the wolves on the off chance that they learn football the hard way. While some individual players find uninhibited benefit in that rudimentary environment, it is not the appropriate venue for the full NT squad.
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I thought this would have been a good time to have reinstated the National Elite Under 15 Team to this competition.
Correct.We supposedly have a player and tactical template now. Let them test it in the fire of competition.
The word missing is "appropriate". Insert it between "of" and "competition" and yuh in business.
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I thought this would have been a good time to have reinstated the National Elite Under 15 Team to this competition.
What's elite about the League of Champions? Square hole, round peg.
Does it have to be elite? Perhaps this might be a useful initial step to introduce them to a more physical environment than the colleges league they are used to. Might be an insightful gauge as to who can elevate their game understanding, aggression, speed, and risk taking,. The same qualities the Tech stated it wants the T&T player defined by, at every level.
Well, much of what you want to achieve could be achieved by playing against the U17s who would have a mutual stake in the tactical benefit of that match-up. From there there are a variety of ways to progress the challenge without leaving the NT environment.
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Disagree totally. The theory being subscribed to by those in favour of placing them in the League of Champions is the Theory of Big Man Football. What they need as a team is structured development not unstructured physicality against haphazard opposition. None of their colleagues in a systemic U15 NT environment are being tossed to the wolves on the off chance that they learn football the hard way. While some individual players find uninhibited benefit in that rudimentary environment, it is not the appropriate venue for the full NT squad.
How is it unstructured physicality? And how is that any different from wild running SSFL opposition that these guys often have to face? They are supposed to be taking the lead of the coach, not from the opposition. Its up to a coach to communicate what he or she wants and see who can fulfill instructions under pressure. I take your point. However we have a long history of over-estimating and coddling young players. With obvious results.
This is certainly not an ideal environment, but its not necessarily an inappropriate one.. Our cultural/natural inclination is not to support but to stand out on the pitch. T&T players simply need a LOT more time together than other national set-ups. We are not the same as Costa Rica, the U S. or Honduras. We must play to our strengths AND address our weaknesses. If we just continue the usual of mimicking what others used to do 10 years ago we might as well pack it in. If this league is not ideal we better find another quick time to address the challenge of teamwork
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I thought this would have been a good time to have reinstated the National Elite Under 15 Team to this competition.
What's elite about the League of Champions? Square hole, round peg.
Does it have to be elite? Perhaps this might be a useful initial step to introduce them to a more physical environment than the colleges league they are used to. Might be an insightful gauge as to who can elevate their game understanding, aggression, speed, and risk taking,. The same qualities the Tech stated it wants the T&T player defined by, at every level.
Well, much of what you want to achieve could be achieved by playing against the U17s who would have a mutual stake in the tactical benefit of that match-up. From there there are a variety of ways to progress the challenge without leaving the NT environment.
I don't think we can overcome certain obstacles by just playing 2-3 games against the U-17s..... That has been done over and over for at least a decade now. Playing the U-17s will teach them...how to play the U-17s. Playing as a team against multiple teams with multiple variables/unknowns in a league format would be far more beneficial. Game understanding and ability to adapt would be accelerated. And they can still play the U-17s. The U15s and U-17s in transition to the next age cohort should be both be playing in such a league instead of SSFL if we weren't jokers. No serious nation in CONCACAF has their youth playing schoolboy football. Again, The "Big man" football in this league may not be ideal but its a rough SIMULATION of what the best nations of CONCACAF and the world do. And its what WE need. We have to remove these football diapers from these youths and stop wiping they backsides for them.
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I thought this would have been a good time to have reinstated the National Elite Under 15 Team to this competition.
Dont believe this weill be suitable at all
The lvl of this league is not a good idea to throw u15 children into an adult league
If they do it for some reason, i hope the players are properly insured
They better off without this league totally
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It's wildly inappropriate to put U15s up against adults - where else would we feel it appropriate to have adults play sports against a child? We having a spelling bee with 14 year old Timmy vs a truck driver from Sando? What about wrestling between Justin in fourth form and 32 year-old Gary from San Juan?
They won't learn anything useful - this type of thinking is what killed youth development in England for so long. The only kids able to compete are physically more developed, which leads to a bias towards fast, strong players, to the great detriment of technically proficient players. How are they going to compete on corners? Free Kicks?
Just to put this into perspective, I'm an U14's coach - we play 30 minute halves, for a total of 60 minutes, on a smaller pitch. This is what is developmentally appropriate. Throwing kids onto a full-sized pitch for 90 minutes will not benefit their development.
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Disagree totally. The theory being subscribed to by those in favour of placing them in the League of Champions is the Theory of Big Man Football. What they need as a team is structured development not unstructured physicality against haphazard opposition. None of their colleagues in a systemic U15 NT environment are being tossed to the wolves on the off chance that they learn football the hard way. While some individual players find uninhibited benefit in that rudimentary environment, it is not the appropriate venue for the full NT squad.
Agreed. Placing the U15's in a league with adults is not suitable for their development, it can actually do more damage than good just based on the physicality. I also second the notion that they need a more structured environment for their long-term development.
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The U-15s should now be transitioning to U-17, for the purposes of FIFA. Likeise U-17 to U-20. At what age should they be introduced to league play? Should they be allowed to play in domestic competitions at all?
At what age should they be allowed to play 1st team or 2nd tier football for their professional clubs?
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It's wildly inappropriate to put U15s up against adults - where else would we feel it appropriate to have adults play sports against a child? We having a spelling bee with 14 year old Timmy vs a truck driver from Sando? What about wrestling between Justin in fourth form and 32 year-old Gary from San Juan?
They won't learn anything useful - this type of thinking is what killed youth development in England for so long. The only kids able to compete are physically more developed, which leads to a bias towards fast, strong players, to the great detriment of technically proficient players. How are they going to compete on corners? Free Kicks?
Just to put this into perspective, I'm an U14's coach - we play 30 minute halves, for a total of 60 minutes, on a smaller pitch. This is what is developmentally appropriate. Throwing kids onto a full-sized pitch for 90 minutes will not benefit their development.
Are the kids you coach national level athletes, some of who may realistically play in a FIFA youth world cup?
It is irresponsible to throw children into an adult sporting environment with no thought given to their care and development. Having won several national championships as an athlete, and later as coach to both adults and youth, I have first hand experience with this.
These kids are at a transitional stage. At national level we have to start introducing youth to the rigors of the adult game at this very age group. IMO the most challenging aspect of this transition is not physical; its a shift in mindset that needs to be managed with a maximum of care and consideration for the athletes. But it must be done.
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Dont believe this weill be suitable at all
The lvl of this league is not a good idea to throw u15 children into an adult league
If they do it for some reason, i hope the players are properly insured
They better off without this league totally
If I was the parent or guardian of a U15 NT player and he got hurt playing in a glorified adult bush league, to say that I would be pissed is to put it mildly. We have to be mindful of the mission at hand. Anyway, I have no doubt that the U15s playing in this league went out the door with DJW's welfare programme for SCF. It ain't happening this rounds.
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It's wildly inappropriate to put U15s up against adults - where else would we feel it appropriate to have adults play sports against a child? We having a spelling bee with 14 year old Timmy vs a truck driver from Sando? What about wrestling between Justin in fourth form and 32 year-old Gary from San Juan?
They won't learn anything useful - this type of thinking is what killed youth development in England for so long. The only kids able to compete are physically more developed, which leads to a bias towards fast, strong players, to the great detriment of technically proficient players. How are they going to compete on corners? Free Kicks?
Just to put this into perspective, I'm an U14's coach - we play 30 minute halves, for a total of 60 minutes, on a smaller pitch. This is what is developmentally appropriate. Throwing kids onto a full-sized pitch for 90 minutes will not benefit their development.
Are the kids you coach national level athletes, some of who may realistically play in a FIFA youth world cup?
It is irresponsible to throw children into an adult sporting environment with no thought given to their care and development. Having won several national championships as an athlete, and later as coach to both adults and youth, I have first hand experience with this.
These kids are at a transitional stage. At national level we have to start introducing youth to the rigors of the adult game at this very age group. IMO the most challenging aspect of this transition is not physical; its a shift in mindset that needs to be managed with a maximum of care and consideration for the athletes. But it must be done.
15 year old keepers? Maybe, 15 year old outfield players? Exceptional to the extreme. 15 year olds have another foot to grow and a lot more muscle to pile on. They are often going through or just hit puberty, with fragile egos and conflicting emotions.
The most challenging aspect is definitely the physical - technicality doesn't matter when someone can (fairly) muscle you off the ball with ease. The mindset can be achieved with small changes in year groups, specifically managed. Youth leagues generally forbids moving someone more than 2 year groups up, for example.
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As a coach I was part of a program that took 2nd and 3rd formers that were part of a club program and played then in an adult 'village league'. the results over the 2 years that they participated were exceptional. The first year they lost heavily and the learning curve was steep. At the end of the first year they were miles ahead of their peers. By the end of the 2nd year one boy was training with the National U17 with the likes of Shanon Gomez and levi Garcia. Another eventually left on football scholarship.
You do the math.
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The math works out as 2 boys.
Hardly a peer reviewed study
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As a coach I was part of a program that took 2nd and 3rd formers that were part of a club program and played then in an adult 'village league'. the results over the 2 years that they participated were exceptional. The first year they lost heavily and the learning curve was steep. At the end of the first year they were miles ahead of their peers. By the end of the 2nd year one boy was training with the National U17 with the likes of Shanon Gomez and levi Garcia. Another eventually left on football scholarship.
You do the math.
None of this is inconsistent with my post and hardly a template for NT development.
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Those players are over 18 now, right? (Based on the scholarship). What are the rest doing?
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As a coach I was part of a program that took 2nd and 3rd formers that were part of a club program and played then in an adult 'village league'. the results over the 2 years that they participated were exceptional. The first year they lost heavily and the learning curve was steep. At the end of the first year they were miles ahead of their peers. By the end of the 2nd year one boy was training with the National U17 with the likes of Shanon Gomez and levi Garcia. Another eventually left on football scholarship.
You do the math.
The math is irrelevant. Were they the biggest kids by chance? It's hard to tell who succeeded and who failed because of that decision. We tend to have confirmation bias when considering these things.
There's a reason FIFA maintain the emphasis in younger years should be on technical developments rather than physical/athleticism - https://resources.fifa.com/image/upload/youth-football-training-manual-2866317.pdf?cloudid=mxpozhvr2gjshmxrilpf
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Even 17 is pushing it. Only a couple great ones made it past that age and phase. Ridiculous idea. The history, science and sense says No. Just the social aspect causes issues in all manners of life. This is well documented as a detriment to growth.
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As a coach I was part of a program that took 2nd and 3rd formers that were part of a club program and played then in an adult 'village league'. the results over the 2 years that they participated were exceptional. The first year they lost heavily and the learning curve was steep. At the end of the first year they were miles ahead of their peers. By the end of the 2nd year one boy was training with the National U17 with the likes of Shanon Gomez and levi Garcia. Another eventually left on football scholarship.
You do the math.
I think these kind of results are possible with CAREFUL planning, and taking into account physiological and psychological challenges that might be faced.
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It's wildly inappropriate to put U15s up against adults - where else would we feel it appropriate to have adults play sports against a child? We having a spelling bee with 14 year old Timmy vs a truck driver from Sando? What about wrestling between Justin in fourth form and 32 year-old Gary from San Juan?
They won't learn anything useful - this type of thinking is what killed youth development in England for so long. The only kids able to compete are physically more developed, which leads to a bias towards fast, strong players, to the great detriment of technically proficient players. How are they going to compete on corners? Free Kicks?
Just to put this into perspective, I'm an U14's coach - we play 30 minute halves, for a total of 60 minutes, on a smaller pitch. This is what is developmentally appropriate. Throwing kids onto a full-sized pitch for 90 minutes will not benefit their development.
Are the kids you coach national level athletes, some of who may realistically play in a FIFA youth world cup?
It is irresponsible to throw children into an adult sporting environment with no thought given to their care and development. Having won several national championships as an athlete, and later as coach to both adults and youth, I have first hand experience with this.
These kids are at a transitional stage. At national level we have to start introducing youth to the rigors of the adult game at this very age group. IMO the most challenging aspect of this transition is not physical; its a shift in mindset that needs to be managed with a maximum of care and consideration for the athletes. But it must be done.
15 year old keepers? Maybe, 15 year old outfield players? Exceptional to the extreme. 15 year olds have another foot to grow and a lot more muscle to pile on. They are often going through or just hit puberty, with fragile egos and conflicting emotions.
The most challenging aspect is definitely the physical - technicality doesn't matter when someone can (fairly) muscle you off the ball with ease. The mindset can be achieved with small changes in year groups, specifically managed. Youth leagues generally forbids moving someone more than 2 year groups up, for example.
Perhaps this particular league was not suited to their needs. Regardless, we are well behind the CONCACAF curve in introducing young players into more serious environments. The last U-15s were reportedly together for almost two years. Yet they were as sub-par on a relative basis as past teams that did not have the benefit of staying together. What could be at the root of this performance issue?
Saying we have a tendency to 'baby' our young men and women may have been a bit harsh. To rephrase....Has the football fraternity in Trinidad and Tobago been more comfortable sustaining an amateur sporting culture, and as a corollary showed reluctance to introduce some elements of a more professional culture for our youth?
IMO the physical challenge of playing up can be surmountable by most young athletes. Many opposing CA coaches commend our physicality. Yet T&T youngsters are invariably the first to be winded on the pitch. They often concede heavily during the final moments of games. Over and over again we hear respected national coaches single out the fact that their Central American peers are exposed to more demanding playing environments at an earlier age, as that 'edge' separating those squads from ours.
I'm clearly no football pundit, but this 'edge' seems based on mindset strengths acquired by earlier exposure to serious environments where they learn to adapt to greater physical and and mental performance benchmarks. Compare those environments to the persistence of the SSFL as a primary benchmark of Trinidad and Tobago players.
Lets be honest. That the SSFL is a STILL an important performance benchmark is very much a reflection of outdated views toward the game/social conventions. Due to our social attitudes, have we been reluctant to embrace professional football as a career path for youth? Are we effectively delaying their entry into the professional ranks to a certain extent? How detrimental has this been to their development? Part of an effective platform to move forward football should include building on structures that promote professionalism, and give youth greater choice, and responsibility, for their own development.
We also have to be cognizant of deep-seated attitudes that over-emphasize theoretical development at the expense of playing competitive games. This 'Practice champ' national team training over the last 2 years at U-15 has been an utter failure.
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Perhaps this particular league was not suited to their needs. Regardless, we are well behind the CONCACAF curve in introducing young players into more serious environments. The last U-15s were reportedly together for almost two years. Yet they were as sub-par on a relative basis as past teams that did not have the benefit of staying together. What could be at the root of this performance issue?
Saying we have a tendency to 'baby' our young men and women may have been a bit harsh. To rephrase....Has the football fraternity in Trinidad and Tobago been more comfortable sustaining an amateur sporting culture, and as a corollary showed reluctance to introduce some elements of a more professional culture for our youth?
IMO the physical challenge of playing up can be surmountable by most young athletes. Many opposing CA coaches commend our physicality. Yet T&T youngsters are invariably the first to be winded on the pitch. They often concede heavily during the final moments of games. Over and over again we hear respected national coaches single out the fact that their Central American peers are exposed to more demanding playing environments at an earlier age, as that 'edge' separating those squads from ours.
I'm clearly no football pundit, but this 'edge' seems based on mindset strengths acquired by earlier exposure to serious environments where they learn to adapt to greater physical and and mental performance benchmarks. Compare those environments to the persistence of the SSFL as a primary benchmark of Trinidad and Tobago players.
Lets be honest. That the SSFL is a STILL an important performance benchmark is very much a reflection of outdated views toward the game/social conventions. Due to our social attitudes, have we been reluctant to embrace professional football as a career path for youth? Are we effectively delaying their entry into the professional ranks to a certain extent? How detrimental has this been to their development? Part of an effective platform to move forward football should include building on structures that promote professionalism, and give youth greater choice, and responsibility, for their own development.
We also have to be cognizant of deep-seated attitudes that over-emphasize theoretical development at the expense of playing competitive games. This 'Practice champ' national team training over the last 2 years at U-15 has been an utter failure.
Great points. The SSFL helps to some degree getting our young players used to a competitive, challenging environment and would clearly be more appropriate than a full-blooded adult league, but even that has problems with the lack of overall professionalism and the short period of play, on top of 20(!) year olds playing along-side 16 year olds.
The SSFL could work better if players were supported by and attached to clubs - if it was a pathway towards meaningful professional development as a youth player. The emphasis on winning might not be as helpful in some regards - coaches are sacked based on winning or losing and as a consequence pick their best players, rather than the players who have the greatest potential and/or in greatest need of match practice, which would be a primary driver for youth football.
Overall though, the new document produced by the TTFA emphasises a player-centred individual development rather than a team focus, similar to Clairfontaine in France. This could definitely work with Trinbagonian culture, but would require more significant investment in our coaches to bring their standards up across the board. If we invest in those most invested in our youth sports we can get back to serious WC qualification.
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Those players are over 18 now, right? (Based on the scholarship). What are the rest doing?
23 actually....some are playing TFA football right now. On teams challenging for the title each year.
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As a coach I was part of a program that took 2nd and 3rd formers that were part of a club program and played then in an adult 'village league'. the results over the 2 years that they participated were exceptional. The first year they lost heavily and the learning curve was steep. At the end of the first year they were miles ahead of their peers. By the end of the 2nd year one boy was training with the National U17 with the likes of Shanon Gomez and levi Garcia. Another eventually left on football scholarship.
You do the math.
The math is irrelevant. Were they the biggest kids by chance? It's hard to tell who succeeded and who failed because of that decision. We tend to have confirmation bias when considering these things.
There's a reason FIFA maintain the emphasis in younger years should be on technical developments rather than physical/athleticism - https://resources.fifa.com/image/upload/youth-football-training-manual-2866317.pdf?cloudid=mxpozhvr2gjshmxrilpf
These boys were trained properly,,,,technically and tactically and most went on to playing at higher levels including
winning the National Intercol(in 3rd form)
Super League
National Team Training squad
US Scholarship
..and no...they were not the biggest kids.
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Even 17 is pushing it. Only a couple great ones made it past that age and phase. Ridiculous idea. The history, science and sense says No. Just the social aspect causes issues in all manners of life. This is well documented as a detriment to growth.
So what about the 17 and 18 year olds playing across Europe. Didn't a 17 year old score 2 for Barcelona this weekend. Or even closer to home.....does anyone remember a certain Dwight Yorke.
All those Signal Hill Championship teams....who you think they used to play against before they came to Trinidad ??
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Even 17 is pushing it. Only a couple great ones made it past that age and phase. Ridiculous idea. The history, science and sense says No. Just the social aspect causes issues in all manners of life. This is well documented as a detriment to growth.
So what about the 17 and 18 year olds playing across Europe. Didn't a 17 year old score 2 for Barcelona this weekend. Or even closer to home.....does anyone remember a certain Dwight Yorke.
All those Signal Hill Championship teams....who you think they used to play against before they came to Trinidad ??
Don’t think you have ever seen 15 prodigies playing together anywhere. Prodigies and special talents do exist, but you talking about a team. In coming up playing with big men, did he play all positions ? Did everyone he play with was as good as him. Could you find 23 of that ilk across the Caribbean? Especially to make a team ( different positions) ? We trying to build a future snr National team, we can’t possibly burnout and injure the best possible prospects at every position, before they get to the important phase. Just an opinion based on studies and science.
Wish it was so easy to make another Yorke, Latas , Archibald or Cummings. Until we really know, will leave that to God.
add: Still it's very few, hardly ever a full team, even on a world level.
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Even 17 is pushing it. Only a couple great ones made it past that age and phase. Ridiculous idea. The history, science and sense says No. Just the social aspect causes issues in all manners of life. This is well documented as a detriment to growth.
So what about the 17 and 18 year olds playing across Europe. Didn't a 17 year old score 2 for Barcelona this weekend. Or even closer to home.....does anyone remember a certain Dwight Yorke.
All those Signal Hill Championship teams....who you think they used to play against before they came to Trinidad ??
Don’t think you have ever seen 15 prodigies playing together anywhere. Prodigies and special talents do exist, but you talking about a team. In coming up playing with big men, did he play all positions ? Did everyone he play with was as good as him. Could you find 23 of that ilk across the Caribbean? Especially to make a team ( different positions) ? We trying to build a future snr National team, we can’t possibly burnout and injure the best possible prospects at every position, before they get to the important phase. Just an opinion based on studies and science.
Wish it was so easy to make another Yorke, Latas , Archibald or Cummings. Until we really know, will leave that to God.
add: Still it's very few, hardly ever a full team, even on a world level.
God might 'make' Yorks or Latapys, but he not running practice. The responsibility for build a proper foundation and creating the conditions for athletes to reach their full potential is solely the responsibility of man. We must take ownership for that. So far we have not.
I'm not sure what peer-reviewed science says elite athletes should not be pushed. I'm pretty sure a decisive factor separating our youth teams from the top tier of CONCACAF is our over-reliance on practice concepts and strong reluctance to test these concepts under sustained competitive pressure. I'm pretty sure this reluctance to introduce competitive pressure at an earlier age poses a far greater threat to development than possible injury to some 'star' player.
Terry Fenwick succeeded largely by giving local teenagers key leadership responsibilities in defence and midfield of his Jabloteh and Central teams of the 2010s. These teams ran away with successive league titles and were competitive against top club teams in CONCACAF, thereby upending the anachronistic cultural idea that 'yutes cyan run wid big man'.
I think its a safe bet that Fenwick will do better than the last coach, who, ironically, selected the oldest team in CONCACAF and simultaneously compiled the worst record in Trinidad and Tobago history.
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Even 17 is pushing it. Only a couple great ones made it past that age and phase. Ridiculous idea. The history, science and sense says No. Just the social aspect causes issues in all manners of life. This is well documented as a detriment to growth.
So what about the 17 and 18 year olds playing across Europe. Didn't a 17 year old score 2 for Barcelona this weekend. Or even closer to home.....does anyone remember a certain Dwight Yorke.
All those Signal Hill Championship teams....who you think they used to play against before they came to Trinidad ??
Playing above your normal level, once the focus is still on development, can pay dividends. Not just for 'star' players. Non-core and fringe players can increase understanding and physical attributes playing up-level.
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Even 17 is pushing it. Only a couple great ones made it past that age and phase. Ridiculous idea. The history, science and sense says No. Just the social aspect causes issues in all manners of life. This is well documented as a detriment to growth.
So what about the 17 and 18 year olds playing across Europe. Didn't a 17 year old score 2 for Barcelona this weekend. Or even closer to home.....does anyone remember a certain Dwight Yorke.
All those Signal Hill Championship teams....who you think they used to play against before they came to Trinidad ??
Playing above your normal level, once the focus is still on development, can pay dividends. Not just for 'star' players. Non-core and fringe players can increase understanding and physical attributes playing up-level.
Where there is a significant physical gap, the challenge to be overcome by the player is physical and psychological. The tactical consideration ("understanding") is subsumed to the physical and the psychological. If there is any doubt about that, think about younger players who are closer in age than the adult/13 or 14 y/o example ... and at two different stages of physical maturation ... the physical and psychological challenge is ever present.
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Even 17 is pushing it. Only a couple great ones made it past that age and phase. Ridiculous idea. The history, science and sense says No. Just the social aspect causes issues in all manners of life. This is well documented as a detriment to growth.
So what about the 17 and 18 year olds playing across Europe. Didn't a 17 year old score 2 for Barcelona this weekend. Or even closer to home.....does anyone remember a certain Dwight Yorke.
All those Signal Hill Championship teams....who you think they used to play against before they came to Trinidad ??
Do you know how old DY was when he was introduced to football?
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Even 17 is pushing it. Only a couple great ones made it past that age and phase. Ridiculous idea. The history, science and sense says No. Just the social aspect causes issues in all manners of life. This is well documented as a detriment to growth.
So what about the 17 and 18 year olds playing across Europe. Didn't a 17 year old score 2 for Barcelona this weekend. Or even closer to home.....does anyone remember a certain Dwight Yorke.
All those Signal Hill Championship teams....who you think they used to play against before they came to Trinidad ??
Do you know how old DY was when he was introduced to football?
Not sure of the exact age but it was primary school. And he was on the national U14 by the time he was 11 of 12 i think....Bertille does always talk about that.
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I thought this would have been a good time to have reinstated the National Elite Under 15 Team to this competition.
Dont believe this weill be suitable at all
The lvl of this league is not a good idea to throw u15 children into an adult league
If they do it for some reason, i hope the players are properly insured
They better off without this league totally
FYI
Molik Khan is the third 15-year-old to score in the Pro League this season, after his club teammate Nathaniel James and San Juan Jabloteh attacker Jaheim Faustin.