After six years of anticipation and postponements, Trinidad and Tobago’s Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) will finally inaugurate its girls’ premiership division in 2026. The breakthrough comes following confirmed full sponsorship from the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA), as announced by president Kieron Edwards in his year-end address.
The girls’ premiership was originally scheduled to debut in 2020 but faced successive setbacks due to the global pandemic and subsequent financial challenges. Despite previous assurances of a 2025 launch during the SSFL’s September league launch, logistical complications necessitated further delay according to league president Merere Gonzales.
Edwards emphasized the transformative potential of this new division for women’s football development nationally. Gonzales praised the TTFA’s commitment and outlined the league’s initial structure, which will feature top schools from each of the SSFL’s five zones to ensure competitive quality from the outset.
The inaugural season will implement a selective approach, potentially including one or two schools per zone, with plans to establish promotion and relegation mechanisms following the first season. This structure aims to create competitive incentives for championship division teams while expanding opportunities for female athletes.
Beyond immediate competition, the premiership is expected to significantly elevate the standard of girls’ football across Trinidad and Tobago. It will serve as a crucial talent pipeline for national team selection, particularly ahead of regional and international tournaments. Gonzales highlighted alignment with FIFA’s advocacy for increased female football investment and recognition.
The SSFL executive also focuses on strengthening youth pathways, with existing U15 and U13 divisions serving as foundational tiers. The long-term vision involves establishing a comprehensive development structure that nurtures talent from early stages through to senior levels, ultimately expanding the nation’s pool of female footballers and leaving a lasting impact on Trinidad and Tobago’s football landscape.