David John-Williams, the W Connection president, who will be contesting Sunday's T&TFA presidency, is promising a brand new style of football that will benefit all in T&T if he emerges as head of the country's football following the elections.
Days before the staging of the annual general meeting (AGM) and election of officers, John-Williams in a 38-page manifesto on his plans for the game, said he will ensure the development of the sport at all levels, with specific emphasis on increasing the number of boys and girls getting the opportunity to play; encourage and facilitate them in successfully fulfilling a professional career and improve the infrastructure at the community level so that securing and sustaining corporate support would be key to achieving these objectives.
To achieve this goal of youth development, he is proposing that the primary schools programme be re-designed based on current best practice, regarding the player-development and age-appropriate coaching that children are exposed to. For instance the athletic side of the player requires special attention when the player is developing physically.
He is also calling for a philosophy of play and player-development system that will begin at an early age and will ensure that all coaches and support staff adhere to at the youth level.
According to John-Williams, the sport has been a passion for him as a youth and he has been very lucky to establish a professional football club and at the same time contribute to the administration of the sport. This administrative skills will be his key focus on Sunday when he tangles with a number of top football administrators for the post of president of the embattled football association.
They include incumbent president Raymond Tim Kee, ex referee Ramesh Ramdhan, vice president of the T&T Referees Association Clynt Taylor and Selby Browne - president of the Veteran Football Federation of T&T. John Williams also pledged that he will improve the image of the TTFA by enhancing its credibility through transparency; lead the transformation of the sport and hence redefining its vision, mission, core values and outline its operating principles; encorporate football nationals in assisting local bodies to create a football council and conduct the activities of the TTFA in a manner that is consistent with the highest ethical and morale standards, among others.
Concerns of the effectiveness of the new TTFA constitution which was put in accordance with the FIFA guidelines recently, will be a key focus if the W Connection boss is elected into office. He said a clear definition and clarity to the constitution, particularly as it pertains to issues that are not addressed, will be taken care of within his first six months in office. And he explained that in doing this, there will be consultation with all members of the TTFA and relevant FIFA officials.
Financial management which has been a critical problem for the football association under many different administrations, will also be changed. He said the cost of running the TTFA has increased significantly and therefore a new system that will adopt a professional and transparent practice will be used. And from this system, the government will be lobbied to provide funding from the sport and cultural fund through the National Control Lotteries Board.
In addition, the John-Williams administration will source sponsorship deals, long term TV rights deals for local and international matches, uniform/kits agreement and establish a season ticket holder programme.
Information on football players, their matches and the search for football jerseys etc will all be made easier, with John-Williams saying that his administration will work closely to expand, enhance and equip a self-financing media and marketing departments that will improve the image and brand of football in T&T. And among some of its many functions is to ensure the creation of a first time football museum at the football home which is supposed to be in Marabella and the construction of a TTFA football store where all apparel and souvenir items can be sought.
This department will also make achieves on players and teams available to the public as well as lead to the creation of a home stadium for national teams.
?NAME: David John Williams
CLUB: W Connection
PROFESSION: Contractor
WALTER ALIBEY