TCIFA Elevates Coach Education with Concacaf “Train the Trainer” Programme
Andre Waugh, Head of Coach Education, Concacaf
A major step forward in football development is underway as the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association hosts the in-person phase of the Concacaf “Train the Trainer” Course from April 24–26, 2026 at the TCIFA National Academy in Providenciales.
Building on a series of virtual sessions already completed, this highly specialized programme marks an exciting new chapter in the evolution of coach education in the Turks and Caicos Islands. With a focused group of six participants, the course is designed to develop the next generation of coach educators, strengthening the foundation of football across the country.
The programme is delivered in collaboration with Concacaf and is being facilitated locally by Dane Ritchie, TCIFA Technical Director, and Damien Grant, TCIFA Head of Coach Education. They are supported by Concacaf instructors Andre Waugh, Leonard Lake, and Anton Corneal, who bring regional expertise and guidance to the programme.
This initiative comes on the heels of TCIFA’s recent achievement of Concacaf Convention status at the C-License level, an accomplishment that signaled the Association’s alignment with regional coaching standards. The “Train the Trainer” course now takes that progress a step further by focusing on building local capacity to deliver and sustain coach education independently.
TCIFA Head of Coach Education, Damien Grant, emphasized the significance of the programme:
“The Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association continues to build a sustainable football ecosystem. This ‘Train the Trainer’ course in collaboration with Concacaf represents a critical step forward in our coach education pathway.
Over the past few years, we have made deliberate progress in raising standards, culminating in our achievement of Convention status. That milestone was commendable, but it was a foundation. It has positioned us to move beyond simply delivering coaching courses to now developing the next generation of coach educators within our own environment.
This programme is about capacity building at a deeper level. By empowering local practitioners to become certified coach educators, we are ensuring that knowledge, methodology, and best practices are embedded within the Turks and Caicos football landscape. That kind of internal growth is what drives long-term player development and elevates the overall quality of the game.
We are proud of how far we’ve come, but more importantly, we are focused on where we are going, creating a self-sufficient, high-quality coach education system that continues to serve our football community for years to come.”
Jason Roberts, Chief Football Development Officer at Concacaf, reinforced the regional importance of the initiative:
“Developing coach educators is one of the most impactful investments we can make in the future of football. Through the Train the Trainer programme in Turks and Caicos, we are not only raising standards, but creating a sustainable system where knowledge is shared, adapted, and embedded locally. This is central to Concacaf’s long-term vision for coach education across the region.”
TCIFA Acting General Secretary, Candia Ewing, also highlighted the broader impact:
“This programme represents a significant and exciting step forward for football in the Turks and Caicos Islands. By focusing on the development of coach educators, we are investing in the people who will shape the future of the game at every level.
Additionally, Achieving Concacaf Convention status was an important milestone, but it also set a new standard for us to uphold. Programmes like this ensure that we continue to build on that foundation, creating a sustainable and high-quality football environment driven by local expertise.
We are proud to host this initiative and grateful for the continued collaboration with Concacaf as we work to elevate the game across these beautiful islands.”
As TCIFA continues to expand its technical capacity, the successful delivery of this programme represents more than just training; it signals a long-term commitment to excellence, sustainability, and the continued growth of football in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
