After six years of postponements, Trinidad and Tobago’s Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) will finally launch its groundbreaking girls’ premiership division in 2026. The long-awaited initiative, initially scheduled for 2020, faced multiple setbacks including pandemic-related disruptions and financial challenges before securing full sponsorship from the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA).
SSFL president Merere Gonzales expressed profound relief at the resolution of logistical constraints that previously hindered the competition’s implementation. The announcement came during TTFA president Kieron Edwards’ year-end address, where he confirmed the association’s complete backing of the pioneering women’s development program.
The inaugural season will feature a selective format, drawing the most competitive schools from each of the five SSFL zones to ensure high-quality matches from the outset. Gonzales revealed the league would begin with at least one representative institution per zone, establishing a foundation for future expansion through promotion and relegation systems.
This structural development represents a significant advancement for women’s football in the Caribbean nation, aiming to elevate playing standards and broaden the talent pool for national team selection. The premiership is expected to create a more attractive, high-intensity tournament environment that will motivate championship division teams to compete for top-tier status.
FIFA’s strong advocacy for increased female football participation has been instrumental in driving this initiative forward. Gonzales emphasized that while men’s football maintains prominence, equal recognition for women’s sports remains essential for comprehensive athletic development.
The SSFL simultaneously focuses on strengthening youth pathways, with existing U15 and U13 divisions serving as foundational tiers. League executives aim to further establish these developmental leagues across all zones, creating an integrated system that nurtures talent from early school years through premiership competition.
This landmark achievement promises to reshape Trinidad and Tobago’s football landscape, offering female athletes unprecedented competitive opportunities and solidifying the nation’s commitment to gender equity in sports.