Former technical director of T&T Football Lincoln Phillips has joined forces with the T&T Pro League to begin a series of initiatives designed to provide opportunities for Pro League players and clubs to be seen by international scouts.
The initiative will also serve to benefit youth players seeking to play for United States collegiate programs. Phillips will accompany coaches from the Seattle Sounders of Major League Soccer for a showcase event featuring invited domestic players from January 2-4, 2012. In addition, plans are under way to announce a co-operative agreement with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) to have a college showcase event in T&T in April for the purpose of providing a platform for US- based men’s and women’s collegiate program coaches to evaluate and hopefully provide scholarship opportunities to young T&T footballers.
The widely followed web site, socawarriors.net, will assist in the co-ordination and registration of players participating in the showcase events. Phillips, who served as the technical director from 2004 to May 2011, points to the T&T Pro League as the major source of football development in T&T. “If we are to have a strong, viable national programme, our professional leagues must be the focal point of any development effort because it is through our domestic clubs that our youth and senior players receive the bulk of their training and development.”
He further noted, “Trinidad and Tobago should be a destination point to attract international coaches, scouts, and even teams.” “Though I no longer act in an official capacity for the TTFF, I will always reach out to serve my country and help in its overall football development”. W Connection Football Club owner, David John Williams was among the first to pledge support of the initiatives. John Williams said his club was happy to be a part of the venture especially as its squad this year averages 21 years old.
“This will also give young players from other pro league clubs the opportunity to showcase their talents with the hope of attracting overseas offers.” In a letter of support to The Sports Company of T&T, T&T Pro League CEO, Dexter Skeene, stated: “I fully support initiatives to host coaches and scouts from Major League Soccer and other international professional clubs in order to showcase our Pro League players”. Preliminary plans are to hold the events at various locations in central.
Source: www.guardian.co.tt