Romany warns Pro League clubs

Romany said underestimating and undervaluing long-term youth development will stymie the sustainable growth of the Pro League.

“There is a danger that clubs are only paying lip service to their youth teams because it is a league requirement to field youth teams.

“However the clubs in the Pro League who treat their youth teams as seriously as they do their senior squad are evident. There are three. The others need to take an honest look at their youth structure and get their act together,” Romany said.

He said Pro League clubs must assume full responsibility for the technical and tactical development of their youth programmes.

According to Romany, the Pro League intends to become known for a culture of stylish football based on technique and intelligence.

Romany observed that Pro League clubs therefore need to address as a priority their coaching and development systems and assess their coaches to ensure that they are properly certified and exposed to ongoing education; updated modern tactical ideas and thinking; and different philosophies of the game.

Ongoing assessment will ensure that T&T Pro League Clubs produce technically and tactically sound players who are physically fit and strong and able to cope with the demands of international football at all age levels.

The Pro League chairman said that the league cannot divorce itself from any shortcomings evidenced in the performance of the national Under-17 and other national age group teams.

“Qualifying for future FIFA World Cup Finals can only be attained if we are qualifying for World Championships at all age levels,” he said.