‘Tiger’ Phillips sets sights on future

On Wednesday last, the former national goalkeeper began a 12-week goalkeeping clinic for all the T&T Pro League and National Super League keepers at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.

The sessions, which will take place every Wednesday, would introduce the proper methods of training a modern goalie, including various ways of dealing with counter-attacks/break-aways, crosses and utilising defenders to play their role in crossball situations, improving their diving and catching skills, as well as dealing and distribution with back-passes.

Phillips also revealed that the TTFF’s Technical Department would set up a 10-year programme to deal with age group development.

Following a grant of $18 million from the Ministry of Sport late last year, the Technical Department will be paying specific attention on nationwide clinics for talented players between the ages of 8-10, as well as screening for a TT Under-13 team.

"The Under-15 boys are now finishing up their national screening to select a final team for the newly-sponsored U-15 Caribbean Football Union tournament in August, featuring Costa Rica, USA, Mexico and Canada," Phillips noted.

"The thought process here is, if we are going to get beaten by the top youth teams in the CONCACAF (region), let it happen now when it does not matter so that we have at least two years to make the necessary adjustments," he continued.

"This Under-15 team is in preparation for the next Under-17 World Cup in 2008."

The ex-QRC and Maple standout indicated that the Under-19 squad, who participated in the CONCACAF qualifiers in January, would be groomed for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.

In the meantime, the squad will feature at the Under-21 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in 2006 and the Pan Am Games the following year.

The easy-going Phillips declared that one of the Technical Department’s intentions is "to keep all the teams together in training throughout the year.

"The plans are for the teams to visit the United States to play in a Florida tournament in December, the Dallas Cup in April and a local international tournament at home (during the July-August vacation)," he said.

"A trip to Europe will also be in the mix.

"I want to make sure that our teams are well prepared from now on," he added.

Presently, the TTFF Youth development officer Anton Corneal is supervising all the zonal and national Under-13 and Under-15 teams.

Stressing that he is focusing on transparency, with regards to the ministry’s input into his proposals, Phillips also stated that, during the course of the year, a number of coaching courses, for "C" and "D" licences, in addition to sports psychology, management and football fitness courses will also take place.