Former TTFF Technical Director, Lincoln Phillips, has joined forces with the T&T Pro League to begin a series of initiatives designed to provide opportunities for Pro League Players and Clubs to be seen by international scouts. The initiative will also serve to benefit youth players seeking to play for U.S. collegiate programs.
Phillips will accompany coaches from the Seattle Sounders of Major League Soccer for a showcase event featuring invited domestic players from January 2-4, 2012.
In addition, plans are underway to announce a cooperative agreement with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) to have a college showcase event in Trinidad and Tobago during April 2012 for the purpose of providing a platform for U.S-based men’s and women’s collegiate program coaches to evaluate and hopefully provide scholarship opportunities to young T&T footballers.
The widely followed website, socawarriors.net, will assist in the coordination and registration of players participating in the showcase events.
Phillips, who served as the TTFF Technical Director from 2004 to May 2011, points to the T&T Pro League as the major source of football development in T&T. “If we are to have a strong, viable national program, our professional leagues must be the focal point of any development effort because it is through our domestic clubs that our youth and senior players receive the bulk of their training and development.”
He further noted, “Trinidad and Tobago should be a destination point to attract international coaches, scouts, and even teams.”
“Though I no longer act in an official capacity for the TTFF, I will always reach out to serve my country and help in its overall football development”.
W Connection Football Club owner, David John Williams was among the first to pledge support of the initiatives and added, “W. Connection is happy to be a part of this venture especially as we have gone with a young squad this year and the average age is 21 years old.
The combines will also give young players from other pro league clubs the opportunity to showcase their talents with the hope of attracting overseas offers.”
In a letter of support to The Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago, T&T Pro League CEO, Dexter Skeene, stated “We fully support initiatives to host coaches and scouts from Major League Soccer and other international professional clubs in order to showcase our Pro League players”.
Preliminary plans are to hold the events at various locations in Central Trinidad and Tobago. Details for the events such as registration, venues and times will be forthcoming.