The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association is today confirming the appointment of Richard Hood as Head Coach of the Women’s Senior National Team.
Of 151 applicants vying for the position, 30 candidates were chosen by the Selection Panel.
From the list of 30, a shortlist of fourteen (14) candidates was then drawn up. Following meetings held by members of the panel, they selected the final three (3) candidates for interviews for the Head Coach position where Richard Hood (TT) was the recommended candidate after the process.
The Selection Panel comprised of the following individuals
- Anton Corneal- Technical Director, TTFA
- Jinelle James- Director Women’s Football, TTFA
- Steve David – Former National Player, Director Pt. Fortin Civic
- Ken Butcher- Former Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs and Sport Director at UTT
- Ian Pritchard- Senior Manager, Sport and Recreation, UTT
Hood begins his duties with immediate effect and will hold discussions this week with the selection panel regarding recommendations for his backroom staff which will include critical expertise in the area of performance and video analysis.
In an immediate response to his appointment, Hood told TTFA Media:
“I would like to thank the NC for having faith in me as well as the interviewing committee for recommending me for the position. I am deeply humbled and appreciative.
“Of course it’s always an honour and privilege to represent Trinidad and Tobago, particularly at the senior level. We have a very challenging passage into the 2024 Gold Cup but it’s not one that’s insurmountable. I am keen to start the process as quickly as possible because we have a very short preparation time before the first assignment in September.
“My immediate task is to establish the availability of players and I’ve already made several contacts in that regard. So I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead and will approach same with tremendous enthusiasm and optimism and god’s willing, we will succeed in our task”
Hood served as Women’s Senior Team head coach in the past, guiding T&T to the quarter finals of the Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifiers in 2016 and the Pan American Games in 2011. He was also head coach of the Women’s Under 20 team in 2020 at the Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship and was assistant coach of the Women’s U-17 Team for the 2010 FIFA Women’s U-17 World Cup hosted in T&T.
Technical Director Anton Corneal Stated:
“The final interviews for the position of the Women’s Team Head Coach came down to three applicants from over 150. Mr Richard Hood demonstrated during his interview and application, the neccessary areas of expertise for the position. He also possesses the required experience coaching National Women teams and understands the Women’s competition in our region.”
Hood’s first assignment in competition will be qualifiers for the Concacaf 2023 W Gold Cup. The 2024 W Gold Cup qualifying tournament will take place during the FIFA Women’s International Match Windows of September, October, and November 2023 and will include the participation of 35 Concacaf women’s senior national teams divided into three leagues. T&T will play away to Mexico in its opening match on September 26th.
T&T is in Group A of League A alongside Mexico and Puerto Rico. After opening on the road, T&T then host the Mexicans on October 27 before facing Puerto Rico (away) on December 1st and at home on December 5th.
After 90 group stage matches, which include home and away play within each League and group, the top finishers in each of the League A groups (three teams) will qualify for the 2024 W Gold Cup Group Stage. Furthermore, the second-place finishers in each of the League A groups (three teams) and the first-place finishers in each of the League B groups (three teams) will advance to the 2024 W Gold Cup Prelims.
SOURCE: thettfa.com