Following renewed public criticism from senior national midfielder Asha James, Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Kieron Edwards says plans are now firmly in motion to overhaul the women’s football programme, starting with the imminent appointment of a new head coach.
Edwards, who addressed the issue on i95.5FM’s ISports programme recently, acknowledged the concerns and stressed that the TTFA is committed to creating a more professional and competitive environment for the women’s game. His comments come after James publicly lamented the lack of preparation for the upcoming Concacaf World Cup qualifiers, now just three months away.
"There’s no way three months before a major tournament like this and nothing is in place as yet. It’s clear to see they don’t believe in us women getting to the World Cup. Actions speak louder than words,” James wrote in a Facebook post.
Responding to that, Edwards revealed that the TTFA had already initiated the process of recruiting a new head coach for the senior women’s team, with both local and international candidates in the running.
"We’ve sent out invitations and have strong prospects, similar to our approach with the senior men’s team. We will go through a thorough selection process to find the right candidate," Edwards shared.
He further outlined a series of strategic moves aimed at laying a stronger foundation for women’s football, including the recently concluded six-month women’s league. That competition, he said, was designed to give local players consistent game time and to help clubs prepare for future participation in Concacaf’s Women’s Club Championships.
Edwards also emphasized a shift in approach when it comes to assembling the national team.
"We have to change the mentality and the culture of how we select players for our national women’s team. There is no longer room for the TTFA to operate as a club. This is a national programme,” he said.
"We need to make sure that our ladies are fit, that they understand what they need to do, get them to that level, and then, of course, select and get them into that system," Edwards added.
As part of the TTFA’s revamped calendar, the Women’s Warriors Wellness (3Ws) Invitational Tournament is set to kick off in July. The competition will feature the Defence Force, the national Under-20 women’s team, the Grenada women’s national team, and a visiting United States-based college team to provide much-needed exposure and match experience for local players.
"We want our top female players competing alongside club teams and international talent. This is about raising standards," Edwards noted.