CFU introduces "Vision Caribe" to spark development in region

3/10/2009 – PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – With the notion that nothing is accomplished until it starts, the Caribbean Football Union has given its members a blueprint with targets to spur development of the game in the region.

Specifying areas from player development to federation office management to marketing, “Vision Caribe” was generated at the insistence of CFU President Jack Warner, tasking members to look within their own country to find ways to improve.

The 10-page document, presented by project committee chairman Lionel Haven, was the culmination of nearly two years of research. It was initiated from the congress’ March 2007 decision to adopt an executive committee’s proposal for a plan to improve the sport in the Caribbean.

It sets goals for national associations, including a full-time general secretary and staff, as well as structures for youth development starting at the under-11 level.

Besides management and youth development, Vision Caribe also addresses eight other areas: club licensing and senior competitions; coaching and technical development; national teams; marketing and public relations; event management; relations with the relevant government and non-governmental organizations as well as commercial sponsors and partners; and medical, for such matters as sports medicine, nutrition and anti-doping programs.

«In each of our countries, we will find that we are at different levels in different areas, and as such, we as individual countries must…conduct our own internal audit and then determine which areas need urgent attention,» the report reads.

Once the weak areas are identified, it urges strategies be developed to address them, with help available from the CFU noted in the report.

Warner directed the vision committee to meet with CONCACAF General Secretary Chuck Blazer to develop a plan, which is to be presented during the CONCACAF Congress June 1 in the Bahamas.