TTFA hosts graduation of first elite well being specialists
TTFA hosts graduation of first elite well being specialists – Level 4 Certificate
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association, through its Safeguarding, Player Care and Wellbeing Department, in partnership with the Wellbeing Science Institute (Australia), successfully hosted the graduation ceremony for the inaugural cohort of the Level 4 Certificate in Elite Athlete Wellbeing on July 18th at the VIP Lounge, Hasely Crawford Stadium.
The ceremony marked a historic milestone for football and sport in Trinidad and Tobago as the TTFA proudly graduated the country’s first cohort of Safeguarding, Player Care and Athlete Wellbeing Specialists. The event represented the culmination of months of study, practical learning and professional development, reaffirming the TTFA’s commitment to creating safer, healthier and more supportive sporting environments.
Steve Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of the Wellbeing Science Institute, congratulated the graduates on their outstanding achievement and commended the TTFA for its visionary leadership in establishing a professional safeguarding and athlete wellbeing pathway. He noted that the initiative places Trinidad and Tobago among the regional leaders in safeguarding and athlete welfare.
Greetings were also delivered by Mr. Alexis Browne, Curriculum Officer for Physical Education and Sport at the Ministry of Education, who praised the TTFA for investing in the professional development of safeguarding practitioners and highlighted the importance of athlete wellbeing within both school and community sport.
TTFA Third Vice President Jameson Riques delivered the Address on behalf of TTFA, highlighting the remarkable progress of the TTFA Safeguarding, Player Care and Wellbeing Department. He emphasized that the graduation represented far more than the awarding of certificates, it marked the emergence of the nation’s first cadre of Safeguarding, Player Care and Athlete Wellbeing Specialists, professionals equipped to transform football environments by placing the welfare of athletes at the heart of the game.
The feature address was delivered by Dr. Anand Rampersad, Head of the Academy of Sport at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus. Dr. Rampersad congratulated the graduates and applauded the partnership between the TTFA and the Wellbeing Science Institute, noting that safeguarding and athlete wellbeing are now indispensable components of modern sport. He encouraged the graduates to become ambassadors for positive change and to lead by example within their respective organisations and communities.
The Level 4 Certificate in Elite Athlete Wellbeing graduating class comprised:
• Mr. André Barnard
• Mr. Anthony Wolffe
• Ms. Arlene Paul
• Mr. Caesar Mitchell
• Dr. Cheryl-Ann Boodram
• Ms. Chinel Balcon
• Mr. Gary St. Rose
• Ms. Jeaniffer Long
• Mr. Joseph Douglas
• Dr. Juliet Jones
• Ms. Kia Prince (St Vincent and Grenadines Football Associaiton)
• Mr. Mark Wilson
• Mr. Marvin Small
• Mr. Merere Gonzales
• Ms. Stacey-Ann Augustus
• Mr. Winston Baldeosingh
A Special Award, presented by Johnson, recognised exceptional commitment and achievement during the programme, while graduate Caesar Mitchell delivered an inspiring testimonial reflecting on the transformative impact of the course and its relevance to athlete welfare and safeguarding.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Winston Baldeosingh, who expressed appreciation to the Wellbeing Science Institute, the TTFA Executive, the Ministry of Education, The University of the West Indies, programme facilitators, partners and supporters whose collaboration made the programme and graduation ceremony possible.
The successful graduation of the inaugural cohort represents another significant milestone in the TTFA’s ongoing commitment to education, professional excellence and athlete-centred development.
