It may be only a few short months since New Zealand hosted the first-ever FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, but preparations are already well underway for a second edition that promises to be every bit as successful.
As Tatjana Haenni, FIFA Head of Women's Competition, reflected: "We are very happy with what we saw during our inspection visit and we are absolutely sure that the country will be a perfect host, not only in terms of infrastructure and organisation of the event."
Trinidad and Tobago does, of course, boast previous experience of hosting a FIFA final competition, having staged the male U-17 equivalent in 2001, and the facilities and know-how developed during that event were evident in what the delegation witnessed. With the stadiums and infrastructure in line with FIFA requirements in almost every area, it spoke volumes for the seriousness and professionalism with which this Caribbean nation has set about preparing for this tournament.
Yet there remains work to be done, and Wayne Riley, Project Manager of the Local Organising Committee, pledged a clear commitment to see that work carried out to the letter. "The importance of this U-17 Women's World Cup is immense for us as a nation," he said. "We know that there is work to be done and we await FIFA's report as we seek to prepare our country for a successful implementation of the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup."
For FIFA vice-president Jack Warner, who also acts as a Special Advisor to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation, this tournament will inevitably hold a special place due to its location. However, Warner readily acknowledges that there is a bigger picture in terms of promoting women's football, and pledged that everything possible will be done to ensure a lasting legacy for both T&T and the female game. He said: "This tournament is not only special because it takes place in my home country, but also because of the legacy that it will leave. We have to sell this tournament to the public. People here are used to see men playing football and not quite used as yet to women's football. We must build a strong team."
In charge of making that happen is Even Pellerud, a FIFA Women's World Cup-winning coach with Norway who recently left his post as Canada coach to become T&T's Director of Women's Football and take charge of the U-17 team. He spoke confidently of the challenge facing him, saying: "We are working very hard to bring the U-17 team to a higher level. The players are very committed, the parents are supporting them and I am positively surprised by the big support of the whole Trinidad and Tobago football family."