TCIFA - Youth Development U17/U20 Development

Youth League News

It is crucial for the development and success of our senior national teams that we are able to provide opportunities for older children to improve their skills and talents. As well as participating in various Regional Academies (depending on their age), talented players are invited to train with National Development Squads at U20 and U17 levels. These sessions help prepare our young players to represent the country at youth level and judging by our performances in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers we are certainly moving in the right direction.
A few years ago the idea of us being able to have National Teams for boys and girls at u17 and u20 level would have been laughed at. However, due to the commitment and dedication of our players and coaches we have performed admirably at the highest level in the region. Last year our Under 20 Women played superbly against a strong Jamaican team and managed a draw away from home against Dominica. Our U20 Boys face stiff opposition when they compete in the U20 Qualifiers in Cuba in October. Coaches Gary Brough and Jon Flanagan have already planned the sessions for the boys over the next few months and are confident they can improve upon their U17 performance when they played in Trinidad in 2008.

It is pleasing that we continue to attract many young players to the sport and hopefully they too will get an opportunity to represent their country at the highest level.