TTFA and UWI Sign Groundbreaking MoU
TTFA and UWI Sign Groundbreaking MoU to Advance Athlete Well-Being and Safeguarding
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) and The University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine Campus, have formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at transforming the approach to player development, well-being, and safeguarding in Trinidad and Tobago football.
The signing, which took place last week at UWI’s St. Augustine Campus, establishes a collaborative partnership that will integrate sport social work methods, research, and practice into the football ecosystem. The initiative underscores a shared commitment by both institutions to prioritize the holistic development of athletes, ensuring that their mental, emotional, and social welfare stand alongside performance and results.
Key objectives of the MoU include:
Developing policies and frameworks to support the psychosocial well-being of players and their families.
Designing a comprehensive evidence-based player care programme, with a focus on youth athletes and vulnerable groups.
Conducting joint research into social, cultural, and psychological factors impacting player welfare.
Creating practicum placements and internships for UWI students in the areas of sport social work and athlete support.
Delivering training workshops for coaches, administrators, and parents on resilience and athlete well-being.
Hosting conferences, symposia, and public forums to advance policy dialogue and practice in safeguarding, mental health, and player development.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, TTFA Vice President Jameson Rigues emphasized the transformative nature of the partnership:
“The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding between the TTFA and the University of the West Indies represents more than a partnership on paper—it is a partnership of purpose, of vision, and of shared responsibility. At its heart, this collaboration centers around something we at the TTFA consider fundamental: the well-being of our athletes.”
“For too long, the conversation in sport has been dominated by performance, results, and rankings. While those things matter, they cannot and should not come at the cost of the athlete’s overall health, dignity, or future. Today, through this MoU, we are sending a clear message: that in Trinidad and Tobago, our athletes will be seen, heard, and supported—not just as performers on the field, but as whole human beings,” Rigues added.
Through the agreement, UWI’s Department of Social Work will provide specialized expertise and professional support, while TTFA will facilitate hands-on opportunities for students to gain practical experience in areas such as player care, case management, safeguarding, and community engagement.
This collaboration will also extend its impact nationally, as TTFA’s Safeguarding Department—comprising 35 officers—will benefit from enhanced training and capacity-building initiatives, with ripple effects across other national sporting organizations already engaging with TTFA’s safeguarding programmes.
Looking ahead, TTFA and UWI plan to host the country’s first-ever Safeguarding Awards next year, recognizing individuals and organizations championing athlete welfare. Additionally, the partnership will see the launch of a National Conference on Athlete Well-Being and Safeguarding, alongside joint research projects aimed at shaping policy and practice across the sporting landscape.
“Safeguarding is about protecting the athlete’s fundamental right to play in a safe and respectful environment. Athlete well-being goes a step further—it is about maximizing the athlete’s potential, using best practices that place the player at the center of the process. The two go hand-in-hand, and both are essential if we are to build a truly modern, ethical, and empowering sporting culture,” added Rigues.
The TTFA and UWI believe this landmark agreement will set a new standard for athlete support in Trinidad and Tobago, ensuring that player care is woven into the very fabric of the nation’s sporting culture.
