In an on-going effort to assist players in their personal development, the TT Pro League will be hosting its first Player Development Seminar for the 2015/16 Season entitled "Managing Your Finance".
The previous "Managing Your Finance" was in April 2014 at the Digicel IMAX Theatre in Port of Spain, which also hosted the “Knowing Your Contract” seminar one month earlier.
The 2014 "Managing Your Finance" was facilitated by a team of First Citizens money management officials and topics included Financial Planning, the Importance of Personal Savings, and Beneficial Accounts.
Back then, Central FC goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams praised the initiative.
The Trinidad and Tobago international said, "Seminars like these are really needed to enhance the knowledge of the younger players in the league, even with [seasoned players like me].
"I learned a lot about investing, saving, and the importance of using money wisely,” added the former W Connection (T&T), White Star Woluwé FC (Belgium) and Ferencvarosi TC (Hungary) player.
"The society in which we live in today is hard, so it's really important for young people to know the importance of saving. I think (the First Citizens) team did a tremendous job in bringing the point across.
"I know players domestically that have made a significant amount of money, even abroad, [during their careers] and have absolutely nothing to show for it. So seminars like these are important. It really helped us to understand the need and importance to save and invest money.
"I won’t call names but we have seen some players not use their money wisely. Regardless if you work for $10 or $200, it is important to save and invest," concluded Williams.
The TT Pro League also plans to host further seminars including 'Nutrition', 'Injury Care and Prevention', and 'Professional Development' during this season.
In March 2014, Tobago-born Attorney-at-Law, Dave Williams, facilitator of the 'Knowing Your Contract' seminar, told players, "(Seminars like these are) preparing the foundation for you, to improve your skill, not only at your feet."
Williams, who spoke on various aspects of a contract, such as negotiations of a contract, contractual obligations and termination of contracts, also told players to enhance their careers on and off the field, and use the opportunity presented to them in the local league as a platform to the bigger leagues outside of T&T.