A new era in football development in Barbados, with a number of positive changes earmarked for the sport, will soon be kicked off, says the Barbados Football Association (BFA).
First-time BFA general secretary Joyce Stewart made the revelation in her message in the BFA’s July newsletter.
She also said that improving the BFA’s “governance and financial management systems” is critical to future success.
“The development of our very own football stadium at Wildey is just the beginning of the positive changes you will see in the days and months ahead,” she wrote.
Stewart said the BFA owed it to the athletes, referees, coaches and other volunteers to ensure that any decisions made in the future were the best for the game.
“We have a responsibility to uphold the legacy of football so that young and old can be confident we are managing the programmes and the money in a responsible and sustainable way,” she stated.
The Canadian-born Stewart, whose appointment to the post was embroiled in controversy over the issuance of a work permit, acknowledged that the Barbados senior national team used to be a strong contender in the Caribbean.
“But sadly our FIFA rankings have slipped,” she conceded.
Stewart believes Barbados, who are now ranked a lowly 169th in the world and 26th among the 35 teams in the CONCACAF region, can start the climb back up the ladder to success. She said that the number of international friendlies for national teams would be increased.
Within the past two years, Barbados have played only a solitary friendly international, against Jamaica.
“Each international game gives our national teams an opportunity to learn, develop and excel. World Cup qualifiers are within reach – we just have to believe it,” the general secretary declared.
Stewart also outlined several plans which the BFA has for the sport, starting with the building of a state-of-the-art football complex in Wildey, which will not only be the association’s home but the national teams’ Training Centre of Excellence.
Also on the cards is the development of a girls’ league and the extending of the BFA’s grassroots programme into the wider community as well as the development of futsal and beach football leagues.
There will also be structured identification camps for players, referees and coaches and the BFA will also be seeking to improve its communication methods.
“Some of you are probably shaking your heads and saying ‘it can’t be done’. I happen to believe with hard work, commitment and a strategic direction it can be done,” she maintained.
