Trinidad & Tobago Football Association (TTFA) have received over 50 applications for the vacant positions in the women’s senior team. The positions of assistant coach, goalkeeper coach, equipment manager and team manager were advertised.
The selected applicants will be working alongside the recently acquired head coach, James Thomas who arrived in Trinidad last week to begin his quest as the top coach of the women`s programme. Despite being in quarantine Thomas has been drawing up plans with TTFA Director of Women’s football Jinelle James and Technical Director Dion La Foucade. He has also met with a group of Senior Team players to introduce and outline his vision for the Senior Women’s Team programme.
An elated Thomas told TTFA Media, “I’m delighted to be in Trinidad and Tobago finally. Obviously there have been a few delays because of restrictions and Covid.”
The former Wales national female coach did not hesitate to get the ball rolling. Speaking on what he has been doing thus far, he said, “I’m currently reviewing and analyzing players and really kind of fine tuning the game plan going forward. I’m really looking forward to getting out on the field and working with the players and staff and kick starting the programme as soon as we can do that. It’s about getting us ready for the next World Cup qualifying campaign.”
The coach that holds licenses with UEFA for both senior and youth levels continued, “It is about really making sure that every single person in the staff, when appointed, first and foremost is fully aware of the standards expected of them in terms of the content of delivery but also the way we deliver it and how we deal with the players to really ensure that it’s an environment that the players want to be in and it’s an environment where the players would be challenged to learn. It has to be one that they will be happy and comfortable in, which is really important as well.”
The Welshman added, “Following on from that I will over the next couple of weeks be speaking to some of the players again. I want to get their thoughts on areas where maybe they feel as a playing group we’ve been lacking as a nation previously. It’s also for me to start putting information across from my perspective as to what I think should be added.” Looking ahead, he said, “Hopefully with my thoughts and theirs we can really hit the ground running as soon as we get on the field and ultimately try and win football matches which is why we are here.”
