Lots of chatter about the video, I'm not sure what was so abnormal about what the young man stated, in his opinion he felt that the vibe wasn't good. Its a personal opinion he expressed. He felt that the keepers were nervous and that the biggest adjustment was the speed of play. The team left T&T playing at a faster speed and he felt they were not able to increase their speed of play until the second game. He shares his opinion of what he feels his approach should be regarding the way he intends to approach training going forward. Now you say that you've spoken to three players and they disagreed with the young man. Fair enough, there are PARENTS of players who went to Honduras who spoke to me at the youth pro league opening games who talked about the extent of the " so called vibe" but of course that is not something that would be included in a "video" because that is for someone else to deal with. These same parents spoke about things other than nervousness that affected one of the keepers, again not something that would be put forth in the public domain because that is for others to address. These are actual parents expressing their opinions. Now you're worried about the "repercussions" that this kid would face - what you should be worried about is how these kids get to training, do they have money in their pockets, do they have tutors or teachers who are will to work with them so that they get remotely close to passing exams based on the time that they have missed from school, do they (on the eve of leaving for Panama and then to Honduras have adequate footwear), and if not where can it be purchased at the very last minute). These are some of the things that some of us on the "ground" are addressing with some of these kids. You're worried about their national team career, his old man is worried about life issues and what can we do to create a few concrete opportunities. So before you starting typing away your dismay at this and that - give some consideration to the fact that some of these kids love playing national team football - yes, however, some of them (not all current national team members) are contending with much bigger life issues. Get a little perspective padna.....
Its striking that you have turned this into who's is bigger. First you title a video saying its what player(s) think when its one player and after all the talk. Which talk? I say I spoke to 3 players now you say you speak to parents. Your experience in youth football would have taught you that parents sometimes are not the best source of information. Listen, I am not trying to be bigger, better or "righter" than you. All I am stating is that you did a disservice to this young man, however you refuse to deal with that and bring all the other social issues affecting the youth of TnT as though these are new, maybe to you but not to me. I know several players that could have been on this team but based on various social and behavioral factors were not selected. I know others who have and I have offered to help get the services to help these young men to get them into the fold. I donate shoes, clothing and balls to football programs in Trinidad and Tobago from my pocket. However, that does not make be better or worse than you nor does it make you right and me wrong or vice a versa. The only point I have made is that the handling of this youth is inappropriate.
With best practices in mind, I have a couple suggestions of how this interview could have helped TnT football and the youth:
1. Ask him why he felt that the team was playing faster in TnT but suddenly slowed down in Panama and Honduras. Its clear that the young man did not realize he understood the team was playing faster because it was playing at a lower level. Once in Panama the competition was better so in fact Panama is faster than what they were playing against in TNT, therefore its actually us who had to go to a higher level. Its not that the pace in TnT was faster and we suddenly got slower in Panama, the TNT pace was too slow. I am confident you understand this because you played at these levels and understand the transition from domestic to international level. Exploring this concept would have helped the young man and been positive.
2. The young man felt the vibes was wrong, then ask him what he felt caused that? You know that people don't always get along, even families don't get along. Maybe it was persons fighting for the same starting position that didn't get along. Help him think critically about this, instead of "we wasn't a family". He mentioned it was first international trip so he was nervous. Ask him if this could have contributed to the vibes? What does he think he could of done to improve the vibes? This can empower him to show that he too was part of the vibes and responsible for the vibes. Just like his feelings should not be discounted, he must understand that he too is part of creating his feelings and the feelings of team because he is part of the team.
These two questions or approach would redirect the young man to see that whatever happened he too is part of the success or failure. In our society this is normal to point the finger and exclude yourself from being part of the problem or success. If TnT football is not successful we are all accountable; the parents, the administrators, the coaches, the bloggers and the players.
I will finish by saying I support your efforts wishing you the best, my only comment is on this video. Keep working with the youth, do your best and don't let anyone derail you from achieving your goals. However, note that my interest in best practices will cause me to comment on your actions but NOT on you personally
best wishes
