"I would not like to look at today as the end, but the beginning. The beginning of a new era in women's football to keep women's football alive." Those were the words of Fifa vice-president, Jack Warner, as he gave the feature address at the closing ceremony of the 10-day Fifa/Concacaf Women's Football Coaching Course held yesterday at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya. The course was facilitated by Fifa coaches, former Mexican Under-20 coach, Andrea Rodebaugh and Scottish national women's coach, Anna Signeul. The course which began last Wednesday, is part of the legacy programme for the Fifa U-17 Women's World Cup that is currently in progress. It is the second course of its kind in T&T and it�included 28 participants from 12 regional countries including, Jamaica, Dominica, Anguilla, Suriname and T&T.
Warner urged the participants to go back to their respective territories and build the women's game. "You have to go back to your respective countries and keep football alive," Warner said. "Women's football is here to stay, it is alive and kicking." The Minister of Works and Transport explained that the performance of the teams playing in the Women's World Cup is a prime example of where women's football is in the world. "I would have never believed, that I would have walked two miles, with my ministerial colleagues to see a match," he began. "And a women's football match at that. We walked two miles to see the match on Wednesday."
"But I walked two miles to see what in my humble view, was one of the most entertaining matches." He shared that the T&T team has come a long way, and the entire country is behind them. "One year ago, that team from T&T would have gotten 15 or 20 goals by Nigeria. One year later, that very same team, has brought hope to a country that needs hope at this point in time. A year ago, this would have been unthinkable," said Warner. He he went on to tell the coaches that it is their responsibility to convince their federations that women's football must no longer be treated like a step child. "Women's football and youth football are equalisers. It is easier to be competitive in women's football."