Improving the game locally

In 1988 when the Signal Hill 16-year old Tobago-born striker made his T&T debut for the 'Strike Squad' he already possessed the necessary talent and skill to be a top player, but those attributes needed nurturing.

Same can be said about many top players who emerged on the international circuit such as; Arnold Dwarika (Malick Secondary Comprehensive), Keon Daniel (Signal Hill), Clint Marcelle (Mucurapo Senior Comprehensive), Everald Cummings (Fatima College), Steve David (St. Benedict's College), Alvin Corneal (Fatima College), Russell Latapy (San Fernando Technical Institute), Khaleem Hyland (Mucurapo Senior Comprehensive), Carlos Edwards (St Anthony's College), Stern John (El Dorado Secondary Comprehensive), Kenwyne Jones (St Anthony's College), Noel Llewellyn (Piccadilly E.C. School), Lincoln Phillips (Queen's Royal College), Shaka Hislop (St. Mary's College) and Leonson Lewis (Naparima College) and the list goes on.

Sadly, had the above mentioned players stayed in T&T, their talent would have been wasted.

In my opinion, the Trinidad and Tobago Secondary School Football League (SSFL) Program is one of, if not the most important part of any T&T footballer’s development if they are desirous of becoming a top international player.

This is where it all begins, at the grassroots level where players learn their first set of fundamental training and team work to set themselves up for their future career in professional football.

It is very important that the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF),  try and bridge the gap between school and professional football.

Our current Youth Program Technical Director Mr. Anton Corneal and the Trinidad and Tobago Technical Director Mr. Lincoln Phillips should definitely look into the following. I know first hand that Mr. Phillips would definitely welcome this move.

The SSFL is a stepping stone to a brighter tomorrow, so here are a few questions and concerns;

1. What is being done to preserve the game and the support it receives?
As we have observed over the past decade that the support for the game has diminished tremendously. In my time growing up and attending SSFL games, I saw passion on the field and full stadiums. Every team had a superstar and they played each others as arch-rivals. Now the supporters are drying up. Another reason that could be adding to this problem as it normally happens in the T&T Pro League is too many conflicting fixtures where matches are changed without properly informing the public well in-advance. Games should also be broadcasted on both TV and radio stations.

2. What is being done to improve the coaches?
I know just recently there had been coaching seminars staged by the TTFF to help improve coaching in T&T. Though some of the SSFL coaches attended, many didn't. I believe this should be one of the requirements a coach needs in order for him or her to be a coach at this level. They must all possess a valid FIFA license among other requirements.

3. What is being done to improve our young players’, skills, physique, diet and mental state?
Coaches must act as father figures to these young impressionable players. Too many times we see our footballers make wrong decisions in their career. They need to be guided and nurtured so that they can mature the right way, mentally and physically so that they can best utilize their skills and preserve it. Gyms should be in every school and proper nutritional programs should be provided by the government.

4. What is being done to improve relations between the schools, players’ parents and the Federation?
All must be on the same page. Every quarter these 3 parties should get together and discuss ways forward. This should not be a spitting competition, but a mere meeting of the minds to ensure matters like sustained balance in our young footballers’ football and academic life achieved.

5. What is being done to improve the standard of football in the League, and by extension the region?
An Island InterCol tournament should be implemented, where by the champions from Jamaica, Barbados, St Lucia, St Kitts, Cuba, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti SSFL could have a face off at rotating venues every year. T&T does have the facilities to accommodate such a tournament. International exposure at this young age consistently would be a valuable experience.

6. Can establishing an athletic college or a football academy be beneficial to T&T football?
Certainly! Oil prices are at its high and T&T is known for its oil rich economy. Money is no issue and with the right planning it can be a wise investment. Mr. Jack Warner is now a minister in our government and is also a major contributor to our football federation. He can be the catalyst along with Mr. Anil Roberts to make this a reality. Now would be the perfect time to invest in an athletic college/football academy. Why?
• a) Players who lose out on studies at the secondary level because of sports, whether it be track, basketball, swimming or football can continue their education and career at a higher level.
• b) We lose hundreds of good players who go abroad on US/Canadian scholarships.
• c) This would be the perfect opportunity for players to make a step closer to going pro or the next level up.
• d) The athletic college football team, for example can play in the Oasis Youth Pro League and the yearly Dallas Cup which is a highly competitive international football tournament for invited youth teams, held annually in Dallas, Texas.
• e) We can further align ourselves with the Dutch football model, by forging an affiliation agreement between the proposed athletic college/football academy and the KNVB (The Dutch football federation) or one of its renown football clubs, such as Ajax.

If all of this could be made possible, Trinidad and Tobago as a team would be well represented. Not to mention, it will definitely help keep the kids off the street.

Getting the Pro-League on the right track

The Trinidad and Tobago Professional Football League (TTPL) also plays an important part in players and coaching development of today’s game and more or less should follow a similar pattern. They too need to come up with fresh ideas on how to improve the game.

In my view, to improve the game, you need to improve the quality of coaches and players, and the fan support. Once this is accomplished everything else will follow.

Allow me to mention also that advertisement goes a long way. It sells, like it or not. Advertising the following proposed match ups may be the spark that is needed to ignite consistent fan support.

All Star games
The best of the Pro League vs T&T's Best - Best Foreign 11, SSFL All Stars vs Youth Pro League All Star, SSFL All Star Girls vs T&T Under 20 Women team, etc.

North vs South classic
A best of the North and South will surely bring some excitement to the game and definitely improve the support.

Invite foreign teams on preseason like the MLS do
This will give the local players a taste of international football, attract sponsor and give our players a chance to showcase their talent with the hope of obtaining foreign contracts.

Limit foreigners in the league
Have a limit of 6 foreign players on a 24 man roster for each team.

Have football and family day where players can interact with their communities directly
This will make the supporters feel wanted and respected, not to mention the players will also feel valued and in turn strive to do their best to please their supporters.

Give all the Pro League game venues a nickname that is indicative of the clubs that use them as home fields.
Every team should have its own home ground. Maybe a good idea would be to eliminate playing Pro League matches at the main stadiums. These stadiums take away home advantage and support, as fans may not want to take the long drive through traffic to support their teams. Not to mention, the Clubs would save a handful on stadium rental fees.

Pro League teams would feel a sense of pride to defend their turf. Funding from the government can go towards upgrading and renovating the best community fields so Pro League teams can return to their communities. These grounds can be more beneficial to clubs as they are located in or near the communities and the fields are closer to the fans in the stands.

Forming partnerships
It would be worthwhile for the League to form partnerships with foreign clubs, financial institutions, sports stores and fast food outlets. Affiliations with foreign clubs could lead to players being traded for short-term contracts or advance training. Forming partnerships with banks, could afford fans the option of making donations and receiving a tax credit. At sport stores affiliates fans would be able to purchase items that reflect support for their teams. Team products can also be sold online to cater to the foreign based supporters. Fast-food outlets such as KFC and Pizza Hut can implement incentive programs where by certain meals can get you a free ticket to a game. In return the League could receive promotional marketing and a percentage of the revenue generated. Players family and school kids should also get the opportunity to purchase discounted tickets.

Tax write offs
Companies who sponsor teams should receive tax write offs.

Fixtures and season tickets
If fixtures are changed, it must be well publicized in advance to the general public. A season ticket program will be beneficial to both the League and the fans. It is a good way for the League to receive revenue upfront and it would be more of an incentive for fans to commit to attending games.

Keep Tobago football alive
The League and government must ensure that a team from Tobago is represented in the Pro League. The Government funding should not be used to support teams in Trinidad alone. There are other teams in the League who need financial support as well. As we all know, Police FC and Defence Force are government teams.

Promotion and relegation
I propose that we have a 4 tier league structure in T&T and allow for a promotion and relegation system.
1) T&T Pro League (Pro League)
2) National Super League (NSL)
3) T&T Elite Football League (EFL)
4) National Zonal League (NZL)

There are too many small leagues that negatively affect the major leagues in T&T. It’s time to pool our resources and work together.

The Pro League should also have some support from the government/FIFA financially so promoted teams are awarded some sort of money to compete once promoted. The same should be done with teams who compete at the CFU Champion Cup level.

All of these ideas are just ways to move forward, but they are not going to be easy to implement and execute. I know that current CEO Dexter Skeene and his associate Julia Baptiste are doing a marvelous job, but maybe accepting a little help and advice from outside sources may not be such a bad idea.

Improving the game at the local level is the only way forward. We must all join forces and do our part to help elevate T&T football to a place of prominence.

We cannot continue to depend on foreign teams to develop and improve our players. We need to do our best with our own, as many of our talented players may not have the opportunity of going abroad.