TT WoLF denies league cancellation, Trincity Nationals unimpressed

The executive of the TT Women's League Football (WoLF) has sought to refute media reports that the 2024 WoLF season has been cancelled because of the "unavailability of venues."

Instead, via a media release on August 16, new WoLF president Letitia Mora said the organisation is targeting a league start date "between the end of November 2024 and January 2025." The league was originally set to kickoff in September.

The release said it was a pre-season tournament, which was scheduled for an August 10 start, that had been cancelled. The release said the start of the league season was postponed to allow clubs sufficient time to satisfy Concacaf compliance standards, avoid clashing with the 2024 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) season and to extend the duration of the league for better player development.

"The TT WoLF wishes to clarify recent reports regarding the status of the 2024 league. Contrary to circulating statements, the TT WoLF league has not been cancelled," Mora said.

"We are currently in the planning stage to ensure that the upcoming season is a milestone in the development of women’s football in TT."

On August 15, Trincity Nationals coach and president Joel Warrick said he received a Whatsapp message from one of his club-members, which said the league season had been cancelled.

"It's with deep regret that we announce the cancellation of the 2024 Women's League which was scheduled to commence on August 10, 2024," the message said.

"We understand the time, effort, and resources that have gone into preparing for this league, and we share your disappointment. However, the executives of TTWoLF believe it's better to ensure a high-quality league rather than to proceed with uncertainties surrounding the venues."

On August 16, WoLF assistant secretary (tournaments and competitions) Lystra Lara told Newsday she was unaware how the "rumour" was spread, as members were made aware of the league's position in a meeting last week.

WoLF PRO Kamile De Gale also said she was also unaware of any Whatsapp messages being sent to members concerning the cancellation of the league. De Gale said the pre-season tournament was put off after a scheduling clash with the Caribbean Football Union Under-14 Boys Challenge Series, which is being hosted in TT from August 16-25. Matches in the CFU tourney are being contested at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, Dwight Yorke Stadium, Tobago, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo and the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar.

De Gale told Newsday WoLF had initially hoped to begin the season immediately after the pre-season tournament. Newsday tried to contact Mora for further clarification on the latest developments and the origin of the Whatsapp circulation, but calls to her cellphone were unanswered.

Warrick said the unavailability of venues was a "flimsy excuse" from the league.

"It just shows the inexperience of this group of the executive, because there are grounds all over the country. You don't have to play in a stadium, if that is their concern," Warrick told Newsday.

"You could play on any ground, and there are lots of grounds available now with light."

Warrick said the Trincity Nationals will stay active, despite WolF, as they are already in talks with other clubs to stage an invitational tournament.

Mora's release said getting clubs compliant with Concacaf standards was "crucial as it will open opportunities for our top clubs – and potentially others – to qualify for the Concacaf Women’s Championship" and bring the women's game on the same level with their male counterparts at regional tournaments.

The release said avoiding a clash with the 2024 SSFL season was a prudent one, as it has previously hindered teams from playing in the WoLF competition or completing a full season.

"By readjusting our start date, we will enable a greater number of women and girls to participate in the league, thereby contributing to the growth and development of women’s football in our country," the release said.

"Our review of previous seasons highlighted a concerning trend where some teams played fewer than eight games per year – an insufficient amount for meaningful athletic development."

Last December, Club Sando won the 2023 WoLF title when they blanked AC Port of Spain by a 3-0 margin in Mucurapo. On July 29, Club Sando were stopped from getting a title double when they were defeated 2-0 by Defence Force in the WoLF Conference Knockout Cup.

On July 19, Club Sando and Defence Force also locked horns when the former copped the Women Warriors Wellness invitational tournament title – a competition hosted by the Army/Coast Guard combination. With the WoLF competition on hold for at least three months, those two teams will have a lengthy wait before they can renew their rivalry.

On May 29, Mora was elevated to the seat of WoLF president when she defeated Lyndell Hoyte- Sanchez in the WoLF elections.