Tobago coaches figure in football plan

NATIONAL technical director Lincoln Phillips assured coaches in Tobago that they will not be forgotten in his development plans. He gave the assurance during a recent visit to the sister island together with coach Bertille St Clair, himself a Tobagonian. Phillips said St Clair and himself will meet with coaches and scouts in Trinidad later this week, after already meeting with coaches of the various national teams.

Addressing the Tobago coaches, St Clair made it clear to them, “you do not merely coach football. You help young people succeed in life.” He urged the coaches to pay more attention to physical fitness and conditioning and a proper diet while taking care of their bodies. And St Clair pointed out “coaches must insist on good habits during training and ensure all players abide by the rules.” He stressed: “No player is bigger than the game or the team.”

The national coach said players tend to lose respect for coaches who do not maintain discipline. St Clair appealed to coaches to lend their support to the national team and their World Cup Germany 2006 campaign. And he told Tobago coaches, “I have asked for the team to play international games against teams ranked above us and I am pleased with the arrangements so far.” Meanwhile, the national squad will continue their training regimen from tomorrow at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima, from 4 pm.