Admin Workshop in Trinidad

Wednesday, 18 June 2003.

Thirty-eight senior administrators, ranging from Presidents and General Secretaries to Vice Presidents and Finance Directors, from 17 Concacaf countries attended the third FA-Concacaf workshop held in Port of Spain last week.

FA-CONCACAF WORKSHOP FOR ADVANCED ADMINISTRATORS

10-13 JUNE, PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD

Even Mexico and the USA, two of the strongest football nations in the region, were present to hear from the panel of English experts which included The FA's Director of Administration and Refereeing, Graham Noakes, FA County Business Development Manager, Mark Ives, and Director / Legal Adviser to Manchester United Plc and FC, Maurice Watkins.

The main workshop themes included league structures, setting up the FA Premier League, new information on transfer rules, players' contracts, structures of associations and business planning. Participants spent Day 4 making presentations on the four main topics; Defining the Role, Structure and Responsibilities of a National Association, Setting up a Premier League, Establishing a National League Structure - Club Development and Making Football Commercially Attractive.

Marina Lee, senior administrator to the Caribbean Football Union and one of two women at the workshop, commented, "I have to be aware of the needs of countries in the CFU and the knowledge I have gained will certainly assist me to deal more efficiently with our member countries. I learnt things I wasn't aware of and I am grateful to The FA for imparting their knowledge".

Maurice Watkins, Director of Manchester United said in his closing remarks, "We are at a crossroads in football. Times are changing and we must be responsive to this change and avoid complacency. All parties in our industry including players, clubs and associations need to understand the new FIFA regulations for example, and therefore it is important that each of you impart the knowledge you have gained here back in your own countries and continue to develop your associations in accordance with these changes".

Richard Braithwaite, Concacaf's Director of Development, explained "CONCACAF'S co-operation agreement with The FA has been in place for nearly three years and over 150 delegates from the region have attended The FA's courses, workshops and seminars to date. We are delighted that this workshop has attracted so many senior officials from the region which is further testimony to the quality of the programme and the enthusiasm of our members to learn, share and develop."

The FA programme continues with a Refereeing workshop planned for October, which, together with The FA International Coaching Licence workshop held in March concludes the programme for 2003.

"We feel that preparation is the key to the success of these administration workshops," said Kim Fisher, FA International Relations Officer, "CONCACAF guided us as to the relevant themes they wanted this particular workshop to cover and with the range of expertise amongst our FA delegation, we were able to deliver on topics that were of great interest to all concerned.

"The new FIFA regulations, league and association structures together with developments in players' contracts are all vital areas of football administration which the football family need to be up to date in order to develop their associations."

The FA's International Development Programme will be expanded to include South America later this year, when FA Chairman Geoff Thompson will travel to Paraguay at the invitation of Conmebol President, Dr Leoz, for the launch of the FA-Conmebol co-operation agreement. He will be joined by an FA delegation of experts who will deliver two workshops on Strategy Planning for Coaches and Marketing & Administration.