The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation is finalizing an approach towards standardizing its youth competitions in all of the regional associations for the 2011 season and beyond.
The Federation is set to revamp its National Youth League which is part of the overall youth development program and will launch the 2011 TTFF National Youth League on May 1 with competitions in the Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17 age group.
All Sports Promotions will oversee the actual running of the League on behalf of the TTFF. This League will run at a cost of $650,000 which is being provided by FIFA’s “Win in CONCACAF with CONCACAF” programme.
An inter-association tournament for Under 15 and Under 17 Representative teams will also be staged, aimed towards assisting the national selectors in their selection process for National Youth teams ahead of future competitions.
“This competitions kicks off on May 1 and will be played in the age groups Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17.
When the fixtures are drawn up, the coaches at the national level will have it in hand and will visit the matches to monitor the progress of the players on an ongoing basis and then there will be an inter-zone competitions which is all part of the competition being staged by the TTFF,” Chairman of the TTFF Youth Committee and Executive Committee member Roland Forde told TTFF Media on Thursday.
“We at the TTFF are quite excited about the 2011 season as we realize more and more the importance of the more emphasis being placed on youth development and our team at the TTFF is working towards ensuring that no stone is left unturned in this effort to raise the level of our youth programs,” Forde added.
Among the teams taking part in the League are Defence Force, Joe Public, 1st Santa Rosa FC, Eagles United, WASA FC, Club Sando, St Francois Nationals, Stokely Vale FC, St Clair Coaching School, 1976 FC Phoenix FC, Roxborough Lakers of Tobago, Mayaro Spurs, Moruga FC, M&M Harvard, Queen’s Park Cricket Club, Real Maracas, Westside Stars, Cap Off Youths.
Further details on the format and prize structure of the League will be revealed as the kick off approaches in May.
The Win in CONCACAF with CONCACAF program has been devised by FIFA in conjunction with CONCACAF and was approved in 2009 by CONCACAF President Jack Warner.
The funding has been tailored to meet the specific needs of individual member countries, and will help develop the infrastructure of leagues in the various CONCACAF countries.
The programme focuses on league and club administration; youth development programmes and competitions. In return for FIFA's investment, participating leagues will have to submit an annual action plan to FIFA, and account for their expenditure of FIFA funds to the world body.