LINCOLN "TIGER" PHILLIPS, Technical Director of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF), intends to make the Goal 2014 Project an annual affair.
The inaugural three-day camp for over 100 players, ranging from ages 18-23, began on December 28 at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Dr Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence, Macoya, Tunapuna. Sessions were also staged on December 29 and 30 at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.
"It’s too successful to stop it. The funding from the Sports Company (of Trinidad and Tobago), the $18 million that we got, we intend to utilise that in making sure that these programmes stay together throughout the year,"Phillips said.
The camp also featured training and practice sessions, with the onus on creating a pool of players to represent TT in qualifiers for the 2006 CAC Games, 2007 Pan Am Games and 2008 Olympic Games.
Out of a list of 150 players who are enrolled in the United States collegiate circuit, 26 players turned up for the sessions, while they were here for the Christmas season.
"(It’s) the first time we’ve been able to really harness our top players who’ve gone on to play in the university system," noted Phillips. "When you play in the university system, the approach is very professional, the players lift weights, they have their personal trainers so these players (would be) better.
"And it’s that group of players that we’ve been losing over the years," he said.
"The screening has really created a good atmosphere. People in the United States and England are seeing that there is a programme in place to look at these players. And it’s going to (get) better as we go along," he said.
As time goes on, the project will expand to cater for Under-18, Under-15 and Under-13 players.
A similar programme is planned for the women footballers.
"The women right now are doing quite well. They have been in training and the same type of screening and training will take place for them also," he said.
Among those involved in the programme are recently-appointed TT assistant coach Anton Corneal, national team goalkeeping coach Michael Maurice, Brian Williams, Michael McComie and Ron La Forest; trainers Gilbert Bateau and Zephyrinus Nicholas; managers Rudy Roberts and Joseph "Sam" Phillip; and scouts Muhammad Issa, Terrance Marcelle and Gerald Elliott.