President’s End of Year Remarks

President’s End of Year Remarks

As we close the year 2024, I want to take this opportunity to reflect on what has been a transformative and progressive year for football in Trinidad and Tobago. Together, we have built momentum in several key areas, strengthening the foundation of our sport and reigniting hope and pride for the future of our national teams, clubs, and communities.

Strengthening Governance and Structures

One of our primary focuses this year was reinforcing governance and operational efficiency within the TTFA. We successfully established several standing committees, including the Technical, Competitions, Referees, Finance and Remuneration, Player Status, and Women’s Football Committees, which now play pivotal roles in driving professionalism and accountability within our organization.

Additionally, we made significant progress in Club Licensing, aligning with FIFA standards to ensure our clubs operate sustainably and meet international benchmarks.

The FA also hosted the Concacaf Executive Mentorship Program workshop, ‘One Concacaf,’ in August. This pivotal event was designed to introduce the new executive of the TTFA, led by the President, and to share best practices in governance and leadership. We have also partnered with Deloitte which provides an array of services which will allow us to address diverse business challenges affectively, as well as assist in streamlining processess and enhance operational performance.

For the first time, the Trinidad and Tobago Women’s League Football (TTWoLF) became compliant with Concacaf standards. This expansion of compliance opens doors for our women to participate in Concacaf Women’s Tournaments, a critical step in molding better and more competitive female footballers.

Reviving Domestic Football

The restart of the Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) was a cornerstone of our domestic football revival. Through partnerships with the Ministry of Sport, Sportt Company, Arima Discount Mart (ADM), Reboot, Hearty Foods, Khan’s Poultry, Angostura, National Flour Mills (NFM), and Blue Waters, we secured the support necessary to elevate the league’s profile and improve opportunities for our players and clubs. This is only the beginning of our commitment to making the TTPFL a competitive and financially viable league in the region.

International Collaboration

This year, we also expanded our global footprint by signing an MoU with Saudi Arabia, focusing on development initiatives. This partnership paved the way for our men’s team to play their first game in Saudi Arabia since 2013, symbolizing our commitment to fostering international relationships that benefit our teams and players.

Youth Development and Competitions

Our youth programs continue to thrive, with significant preparation efforts for the U-17 Men’s and U-20 teams, setting them up for strong performances in upcoming campaigns. Additionally:
The staging of the Jewels of the Caribbean tournament for our U-20 Women provided invaluable preparation and exposure.

We successfully hosted the Concacaf Girls U-15 Championship and the CFU Boys U-14 Tournament, including grassroots programs, and were selected as one of the Generation Amazing hosts, solidifying our position as a capable and trusted host of regional competitions and programs.

Technical and Refereeing Progress

Our Referees Department has seen remarkable advancements this year, with increased opportunities for training and development, ensuring our officials are equipped to excel both locally and internationally. Similarly, our Coach Education Department has made strides, offering programs that align with international standards and preparing our coaches to meet the demands of modern football.

Senior Team Achievements

Our Men’s Senior Team made encouraging progress in the Concacaf Nations League, laying the groundwork for a promising 2025. The appointment of Dwight Yorke as head coach marked a new chapter for the team, bringing fresh leadership and ambition to our World Cup and Gold Cup qualification campaigns. We are currently unbeaten in World Cup qualifying and ended the Nations League group stage positively.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As we look to 2025, we embrace a year filled with critical opportunities and challenges:
World Cup Qualifiers and Gold Cup Qualifiers will be defining moments for our Men’s Senior Team.
Our youth teams will embark on crucial campaigns, aiming to continue their upward trajectory.

We are proud to continue our partnership with Republic Bank to host the National Youth League. This year, for the first time, the league will span a little over six months, offering an expanded schedule that significantly increases the number of matches. This initiative aims to enhance the development of players and coaches, providing greater opportunities for growth and progression.

The continued growth of the Trinidad and Tobago Women’s League Football (TTWoLF) will establish a longer, more competitive, and sustainable competition, fostering greater development among players and clubs.

We aim to host more Beach Soccer festivals throughout the year and embark on renovations to enhance the Beach Soccer Facility, reinforcing our partnership with the Beach Soccer Association to advance this exciting format of the game.

Plans are underway to collaborate with the Futsal Association to launch the first-ever Futsal League, building upon the strong foundation already laid and promoting this dynamic form of football across Trinidad and Tobago.

The continued expansion of the Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) and aspirations in the Concacaf Caribbean Cup will further elevate the competitive landscape for our players and clubs.

I want to express my gratitude to everyone who contributed to this year’s successes—our players, coaches, referees, clubs, sponsors, partners, and fans. Your passion and dedication have been the driving force behind our achievements.

As we step into 2025, let us continue to work together to elevate Trinidad and Tobago football to new heights. The future is bright, and with your support, we will achieve even greater things in the years to come.

On behalf of the TTFA, I wish you all a safe, prosperous, and football-filled new year.

Thank you.
Kieron Edwards

President

Trinidad and Tobago Football Association