T&T PFA reports steady progress.
By: Shaun Fuentes (TTFF).
A statement from the recently re-launched Trinidad and Tobago Professional Footballers Association (TTPFA) indicates that steady progress has been made since the decision to hold a fund raising event in conjunction with the English PFA last month at the Hackney Empire.
The Association, comprising mostly of players who campaigned at the 2006 World Cup for T&T as well as other professional players, hopes to establish itself for the benefit of current and future players from the twin-island and the members have come clear in saying that none of this has anything to do with the impasse between some of the World Cup players and the T&T Football Federation despite the fact that much began happening in light of the World Cup.
“We would like to make it clear to everyone that the formation of TTPFA is in no way connected with the ongoing dispute between some of the World Cup players and TTFF,” the statement read. “But in order to ensure that these disputes do not arise for future players, we feel that a players union can represent those who are not able to protect themselves. Collective bargaining gives us a facility to represent players concerns without them having to individually deal with the federation. The union intends to work with, not against, clubs and the federation in order to improve players working conditions and their relationships with their employers. We want to provide educational packages to give players a new career after football. We want to encourage the development of football in Trinidad & Tobago at all levels, including women’s football and make football accessible to disabled people."
The Association added further that they have been assisted in their efforts by Kevin Harrison from PFA Financial Management. Although his links within the PFA have been invaluable, Kevins involvement has been purely voluntary and he has not been representing the PFA.
“The event was a great success, although we were hampered by the fact that Brent and Ian had to travel to Carlisle with Gillingham on the day of the event. This meant that there was only Kelvin on hand to represent the TTPFA.
Harrison obtained support for the event from over 25 clubs including Chelsea, Man United and Arsenal right down through the leagues to MK Dons and Peterborough. Clubs supported by sending signed shirts to be auctioned and managers such as Mick McCarthy purchased tickets to be donated to local amateur players. Kick it Out provided invaluable support and Leyton Orients football in the community scheme was present. Also, Paul Davis represented the PFA on the night. The event looks to have raised around £2,500 and gained a lot of publicity both in England and Trinidad, the TTPFA added.
“Kevin has now been approached by some Jamaican Internationals to help form a players union in Jamaica. This would be a great boost as one of our secondary aims is to work with other Caribbean countries to strengthen football throughout the region.
T&T goalkeeper Shaka Hislop also recently gave his views on the Association, saying “It is an important step and players must be well represented in a unified and professional manner. No one wants to see players go on strike and that continues to happen. We also want a healthy relationship with the authorities. This is forthcoming and it will be great step for T&T football and in the region on a whole.”
