Former national goalkeeper Ross Russell has been appointed coach of the Women’s Soca Warriors for the upcoming Pan American Games in Canada in July as well as the Caribbean Football Union Olympic qualifying tournament.
Russell, a former Defence Force Staff Sargent and coach was confirmed in the post by the members of the T&T Football Association’s Executive Committee serving on the federation’s Technical Development Committee headed by chairman Richard Quan Chan, following its special meeting held to discuss its 10-year development plan.
Earlier this year, Russell who led Defence Force to two Digicel T&T Pro League titles was replaced as the team’s Pro League coach after his tenure with Defence Force came to an end, 26 years after he first enrolled.
Russell served out his final days of his 26 years as a member of the Defence Force prior to December 18 last year when he reached his 47th birthday–the retirement age based on his last rank–two days after his last match in charge which ended in a 1-1 draw with Point Fortin Civic. His successes as coach of Defence Force’s top-flight team includes winning the Digicel Pro League in 2010/2011 & 2012/2013), the First Citizens Cup (2009) and the Digicel Pro Bowl (2012) during his coaching spell, which began in 2009.
The decision to appoint Russell, a former national youth team goalkeeping coach came after the T&TFA failed to reach a decision with former coach, American Randy Waldrum due to his club commitments with the Houston Dash in the US National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Last December, Waldrum led the Women Soca Warriors to the brink of qualification to the Canada 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup and had stated his intention to continue coaching the squad, however, Russell has been given the task of leading the team forward instead.
The other coaching announcements made by the T&TFA includes Jason Spence, coach of defending Women’s League Football champions, St Ann’s Rangers’ being named as coach of Under-20 women’s squad for the upcoming FIFA Under-20 World Cup qualifying campaign. Prior to the disclosure from the T&TFA, Spence, 44 was the assistant coach to both senior and Under-20 teams.
And Ken Elie, a past national youth team coach, being appointed to oversee the preparations of the team for the Concacaf Under-15 Championship as well as prepare for future tournaments which will see the team graduate to the Under-17 team for World Cup qualification.
Other decisions taken by the T&TFA Executive Committee
T-League
The Executive Committee voted to grant provisional approval to the promoters of the T-League, a master’s competition that will be held for 12 weeks from May to July 2016 throughout Trinidad and Tobago.
Women’s Premier League
The Executive Committee has granted permission to the Women’s Premier League to hold a Cup Tournament from June—July 2015. The Executive Committee also established a position paper on the Women’s Premier League initiative that sets forth the conditions for approval of the competition.
T&T National Youth League
The Executive Committee voted to support the creation of a national youth league through the expansion of the Republic Bank Youth Tournament. Age groups for boys and girls will include u13, u15, and u17 levels. The youth league will begin play in late June.
Super League Championship League
Consideration has been given to explore the feasibility of creating a division below the current National Super League for the purpose of presenting a promotion/relegation system consisting of a Super League Premier Division and a Super League Championship Division.