Trinidad and Tobago prepares to showcase its emerging female football talent as the DecembHER Football – Jewels of the Caribbean tournament returns from December 15-21. The annual competition will feature both under-17 and under-20 categories, with host nation TT fielding two teams in each division alongside regional rivals Jamaica and United States-based club Indy Premier.
Multiple venues across Trinidad will host matches throughout the week-long event, including the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, and Sangre Grande recreation ground. The tournament culminates with both category finals scheduled for December 21 at Hasely Crawford Stadium.
The competition begins with TT’s under-17 teams facing Indy Premier and Jamaica in a December 15 double-header at Hasely Crawford Stadium, while the under-20 squads open their campaign with similar fixtures at Ato Boldon Stadium on December 16. Following round-robin play, the top two teams from each category will advance to the championship matches.
Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Kieron Edwards emphasized the tournament’s significance, stating: “Hosting Jewels of the Caribbean reflects our commitment to raising women’s football standards and providing meaningful international competition for our young female athletes. This represents an exciting period for TTFA as we continue growing programs that inspire the nation.”
The tournament holds particular importance as preparation for TT’s upcoming 2026 Concacaf Women’s Under-17 Qualifiers scheduled for January 24-February 2. Trinidad and Tobago will compete in Group F alongside Barbados, Curacao, El Salvador, and Guadeloupe, with the top six group winners and two best second-place teams advancing to join regionally ranked powerhouses Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the United States in the final round.
Historical context adds drama to this year’s competition: In the 2023 under-17 tournament, TT claimed victory with a 2-0 win over St Vincent and the Grenadines powered by Orielle Martin’s brace. The talented attacking midfielder continued her impressive form in the 2024 under-20 edition, scoring six goals to claim the golden boot award despite TT’s 2-1 finals loss to Jamaica.
Team selections for TT’s Jewels of the Caribbean squads are expected to be finalized before week’s end, marking the beginning of an intensive period of development for the country’s rising female football stars.