TTFA launches landmark Pro Coaching Course

TTFA launches landmark Pro Coaching Course to elevate regional standards

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has officially launched its groundbreaking Pro Coaching Course Diploma — an elite initiative set to redefine the landscape of football coaching across the Caribbean.

This premier programme, which commenced last Monday, brings together some of the top coaching figures from across the region, each selected to embark on an intensive 12-month journey focused on elevating their expertise, leadership, and tactical acumen. The course combines in-depth theoretical instruction with practical, on-field application, all guided by leading minds in the global football community. It follows the successful staging of TTFA “A”, “B”, “C”,and “D” License courses in previous years.

Structured to develop the advanced competencies needed to coach at the highest levels of the sport, the course places a strong emphasis on leadership, tactical innovation, and evidence-based coaching methods. Through immersive field sessions, ongoing mentorship, and applied learning, the TTFA aims to set a new regional benchmark for coaching education.

“This course is more than just a certification—it’s a bold commitment to lifting the standard of the game across the region,” said course presenter and TTFA Technical Director Anton Corneal. “By developing our coaches, we’re investing in the future of our players, clubs, and national teams.”

The launch of the TTFA Pro Coaching Course signals a transformative step for football development in Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean—aligning local ambitions with international best practices and reaffirming the TTFA’s commitment to excellence at every level of the game.

TTFA President Kieron Edwards reinforced this vision, stating:

“This course reflects the TTFA’s strategic focus on development, education, and long-term sustainability. We are building capacity at the highest level so that Caribbean football can thrive with our own talent leading the way—on the pitch, in the technical areas, and beyond.”

World-Class Facilitators and Participants Signal High-Calibre Start to TTFA Pro Coaching Course

Leading the course as its principal facilitator is Dr. David Adams, Chief Football Officer and Technical Director of the Football Association of Wales Trust’s coach education programme. Dr. Adams brings a wealth of international experience, having played a major role in the UEFA Pro License journeys of top-tier coaches such as Mikel Arteta, Thierry Henry, Roberto Martinez, and Patrick Vieira. His involvement signals the TTFA’s commitment to world-class standards and transformative learning.

The inaugural cohort reflects a diverse and distinguished lineup of participants from across the region and beyond, underscoring the course’s regional impact and international reach. Among them are:

Merron Gordon, Assistant Coach of Jamaica’s Senior Men’s National Team

Theodore “Tappa” Whitmore, former Head Coach of Jamaica

Rudolph Speid and Andrew Peart (Jamaica)

Gareth Smith (USA)

Paul Decle, Technical Director of the British Virgin Islands

Derek King (Assistant Coach, Trinidad and Tobago)

Kevin McGreskin, specialist in Talent Identification

Jamaal Shabazz, Head Coach of Guyana’s Slingerz FC and Morvant Caledonia United

Jamie Harris (USA)

Jake Littlejohn, FIFA Talent Coach in Bermuda

Leonard Lake (St. Kitts and Nevis)

Adding depth and real-world insight, the course has also featured a series of expert-led sessions. Among these was a compelling presentation on “Transformational Leadership and Crisis Management” delivered by Steve Dalton, OBE and former Managing Director Sony UK Technology Centre (2005-2022).

Participants also benefitted from insights shared by Dennis Lawrence, former Trinidad and Tobago international and ex-national team head coach, who spoke on “The Role of the Assistant Coach at the Professional Level”. Lawrence is currently assistant coach at MLS club Minnesota United. In another engaging session, David Nakhid, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Sport and former international player, presented on “Opportunities in Sports Leadership.”

With its blend of elite instruction, real-world perspectives, and high-profile attendees, the TTFA Pro Coaching Course is not only developing top-tier coaches—it is reshaping the future of football across the Caribbean.

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