On Monday 6 September the FIFA Development Office in Port of Spain, Trinidad, opened the second futsal course for Caribbean coaches and referees. Twenty coaches and twenty one referees from twelve (12) national associations – Anguilla, the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitt’s/Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago – are participating in the course, which is being held at the University of the West Indies in St. Augustine, Trinidad.

Coaches and matches officials from fourteen national associations had attended a hugely successful first course, held in September 2003, which allowed the Caribbean Football Union to organize its inaugural futsal championship in May 2004. This was a preliminary to CONCACAF’s final qualifying tournament in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Futsal is strengthening its profile and presence in the Caribbean, with an increasing number of national associations including the sport in their long term development plans and annual programmes. The Caribbean Football Union also intends to introduce an annual regional championship to build on the success of the 2003 tournament.

FIFA has provided two experienced instructors – Jyrki Filppu of Finland (refereeing) and James Roberts of Australia (coaching). The course will conclude on 11 September.