Concacaf Bigger Game launched in T&T
Concacaf’s Bigger Game Academy Officially Launched in Trinidad and Tobago…Emphasis on development in National Primary Schools League
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA), in partnership with Concacaf, the Ministry of Education, and the National Primary Schools Football League, officially launched the Concacaf Bigger Game Academy at the TTFA Technical Center in Couva on Saturday.
The program will reach up to 40 primary schools across Trinidad and Tobago, combining grassroots football development with life skills education. Over the next six weeks, schools will participate in football festivals, structured training sessions, and workshops designed to develop both technical ability and personal growth through sport.
Present at Saturday’s launch were TTFA Vice President Jameson Rigues, Navin Harry, PRO of the National Primary Schools League, Lyndell Hoyte-Sanchez,head of community sport at Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPORTT), former national player Ansil Elcock, Athletics Assistant in the Sporting Schools Program under Sportt, Kevin Mcgreskin, FIFA talent scout and Jinelle James, TTFA Director of Women’s Football
As part of the opening weekend, coaches are receiving training workshops focused on:
1.The Role of the Coach
2.Coaching Methodology
3.Planning a Session Workshop
4. Bigger Game Basic Exercises on the Field
Following the training, the program will feature football festivals involving primary school teams, beginning at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Tobago on Monday, and continuing at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on Tuesday.
Concacaf President Victor Montagliani highlighted the Confederation’s long-term vision for the program:
“Concacaf is proud to partner with the Trinidad & Tobago Football Association to launch the Bigger Game Academy in both Trinidad and Tobago. This initiative reflects our shared commitment to using football as a vehicle for positive change by building technical skills on the pitch, and imparting life values such as teamwork, respect, and resilience. By expanding access to structured play and social responsibility programs, we are investing in the next generation and ensuring that football continues to be a force for unity and opportunity across our region.”
TTFA President Kieron Edwards emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating:
“This is a proud moment for Trinidad and Tobago football. Through Concacaf’s Bigger Game initiative, we are able to provide young boys and girls with not only access to play the sport, but also with the tools to learn valuable life lessons that will serve them well beyond the field. We thank Concacaf, the Ministry of Education, and the National Primary Schools Football League for partnering with us to invest in our future generation.”
The Bigger Game strategy was launched by Concacaf in 2023 to create opportunities for football and social development across its 41 Member Associations. It is built on three pillars: Access to Play, Diversity and Inclusion, and Sustainable Growth and Health.
The TTFA’s implementation of Bigger Game represents a significant step forward in aligning grassroots football development with education and social responsibility, ensuring that football in Trinidad and Tobago continues to grow both on and off the pitch.
More Information on Bigger Game
Bigger Game’s mission is to use the power and reach of football to provide development opportunities which benefit communities across Concacaf’s 41 member associations. The programs focus on coaching, education, health, and community development, leveraging football as a vehicle for positive change.
Key focus areas include:
Integrating Football for Social Change and Concacaf W Programming into tournaments
Building community partnerships through local engagement activities
Creating Volunteer Education Packages to empower leaders and mentors
Delivering Safeguarding Courses and Policies to make football safer for children and young people
Implementing disaster response plans to support communities in times of need
Amplifying the voices of program participants and sharing best practices
A special focus is placed on women and girls through the Concacaf W strategy, launched in 2019, to expand growth opportunities for women’s football. Bigger Game initiatives are designed to inspire inclusion, health, and resilience as Concacaf heads toward the FIFA World Cup 2026 and beyond.
