FIFA TDS Elite Youth Goalkeeper Coaches' Workshop kicks off in Trinidad and Tobago

Organised in collaboration with the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and Concacaf, and held alongside the annual CFU U14 Challenge Competition, the workshop was a great success, drawing participation from 19 Member Associations in the region.

This workshop marks the debut of the new programme designed for countries endorsed by the FIFA TDS. It featured a blend of classroom instruction and practical sessions, led by a lineup of experts: Fernando Brassard, Nadine Angerer, Alejandro Heredia, with support from Callum Irving and Christos Kanelleas, members of the FIFA TDS Team. The sessions were crafted to be highly relevant to the region's unique needs, and participants left with invaluable insights and skills to elevate the standard of goalkeeping in their respective countries.

Callum Irving, Lead of High-Performance Training & Education, shared his enthusiasm: "It is great to get this workshop running; it has been a work in progress for some time and wonderful to see it in action." He further acknowledged the pivotal role of CFU and Concacaf in the workshop's success, noting, "Our Regional Technical Consultant, Lenny Lake, and the CFU General Secretary, Camara David, alongside Andre Waugh from Concacaf have been incredibly supportive— both in hosting and managing the workshop but also in ensuring we had the key people from the region in attendance. The group was engaged, enthusiastic, and ensured the week was both enjoyable and productive."

CFU played a critical role in supporting the programme by allocating essential funds to the initiative. Randolph Harris, CFU President, expressed the union's commitment to advancing football in the region, stating: "The CFU is pleased to be part of this collaborative effort to provide training for goalkeeper coaches from the Caribbean. We acknowledge the high-caliber experts leading the workshop, and we also note the eagerness of the participants to learn and grow. The timing of the initiative, at the same time as this year’s Boys’ U14 Challenge Series, which is focused on development in all spheres of football, demonstrates the commitment of all the partners —CFU, Concacaf, and FIFA— to the advancement of football in the Caribbean. We look forward to the participants putting into practice what they learn and, more so, paying it forward by sharing the knowledge when they return home."

The workshop also drew positive feedback from local football experts. Clayton Ince, former professional goalkeeper and National Goalkeeper Coach at the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA), expressed his commitment to raising the standard of goalkeeping in the region: "I really want to elevate myself and help others reach higher standards in the Goalkeeping department. This workshop was truly excellent, with content tailored to our needs. The instructors put in tremendous work to make it realistic for us in our region. Following this, I will first work with my players and then within the MA to build a programme that can grow across the country, improving the standards of goalkeeping and respect for the position of goalkeeper coach."

Echoing these sentiments, Eon De Viera, Head of Goalkeeping & Senior Men's National Team Goalkeeper Coach, applauded the workshop's delivery: "The sessions were very interactive —the way discussions were facilitated to draw out participants' thoughts was brilliant and kept everyone eager to return each day. Being part of this course meant a lot to me because goalkeeping and youth development is my passion. This experience has made me more competent, which will influence my coaching delivery. I am determined to increase and strengthen the pool of goalkeeper coaches and goalkeepers in my MA with the knowledge gained from this."

With the success of this initial workshop, plans are already underway to offer it to all MAs supported by the FIFA TDS through the course management platform, following another pilot. This initiative promises to make a lasting impact on the development of goalkeeping talent across the Caribbean and beyond.