President of CONCACAF Jeffrey Webb has reportedly lauded the T&T Football Association (TTFA) “for its ongoing efforts to promote the development of football” following the local governing body’s execution of the Concacaf D Licence Course last month, which saw 21 local current and aspiring coaches certified, as well as its plan to conduct a Concacaf Advanced Level Goalkeeping Course later this month.
A media release issued by the TTFA yesterday noted that Webb, in a statement on Saturday, found these to be positive steps being taken by the association.
In the release Webb was quoted as saying, “These types of development initiatives are what keeps football progressing in our region, and I commend the association’s efforts to grow the game by creating significant educational opportunities to further enhance the skills of our goalkeepers and players. This represents another positive step forward in the development of football in T&T.”
The objective of the concluded D Licence Course, offered by Concacaf, was to “introduce coaches to the basics of coaching young players in a player-centred environment”. Among those who earned their licences earlier this month were senior national women’s team players, Ahkeela Mollon, Maylee Attin-Johnson, Ayana Russell, along with several former players on the men’s national team, including Kerry Baptiste, Marvin Oliver and others. Another D Licence Course will take place in Tobago this month, while refereeing, administrative and technical courses are being offered locally later this year, according to the TTFA.
The Concacaf Advanced Level Goalkeeping Course, the first being offered by Concacaf, will run from May 28-30 at the TTFA office, located within the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain.
American Claine Plummer, formerly of Major League Soccer clubs LA Galaxy and Chivas USA, will be the instructor.
The $700 course will cover “Structure practices and training; Crossing Zones; Angle Play; Modern Techniques; Training; Distribution; Breakaways and Mistake management.”