by David Harris

Former national footballer Renaldo “Pee Wee” Gilkes, is not satisfied with the state of football in Barbados. Gilkes, 37, represented Barbados from Under-15 level through to the senior team; a defensive mid-fielder during his playing days, he has made a successful transition to coaching.

Gilkes is a Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) coach instructor who also holds a Concacaf B license, and an Advance National Diploma from the Soccer Coaches of America. He is a former head coach of the Boys Under-14 and Under-17 teams; and is currently the coach of the Premier League club Kickstart Rush. Gilkes is an ex member of the youth and technical committees of Barbados Football Assocation (BFA).

“I am not satisfied with the state of football; there are a number of frailties that exist within the domestic system of the sport, and it is not solely due to the national federation’s contributions or sometimes lack thereof. There are many institutions which affect the quality of football but I would identify, the clubs,  schools , the ministry of sports and the Barbados Football Association (BFA) as the organisations that have to come together to make football stronger”, Gilkes told Advo Magazine.

Gilkes said to improve the standard of football there must be collaboration between the key stakeholders of the game in policies and operations and clearly defined objectives for the grassroots, coach education, technical development and governance of the sport.

“Football is a team sport in every area of its operations; and without synergy there won’t ever be long term success, maybe temporary gratification- but to reach the heights we aspire to, there must be closer ties between the Schools Football League and the BFA, and by extension the clubs. The internal committees of the BFA and the administrators of the clubs have to recognize they share the same

objectives and must align their intelligence to serve the players and the game. Collaboration between the National Sports Council (NCS) and the BFA is critical. The NSC is the primary agency for sports development in the country, specifically at grassroots level, where their coaches encounter thousands of children at primary and secondary schools, albeit without any sports development guide or syllabus” Gilkes said.

He said that the BFA had started to move in a positive direction with the Football for Schools program which looks at the social, emotional and technical development of the grassroots players.

“There has been some initial training. but it was slow without any real progress, therefore, it has become another futile program, without the requisite policies or personnel to guide it .There must be discipline specific programs including  festivals, workshops, and professional activities to support physical education teachers, NSC coaches, the clubs’ coaches, and officers of BFA. Events that bring members of these institutions in a room at the same time, so that they can recognize their roles are relevant to the main goal”, Gilkes explained.  

According to Gilkes, the relationship between the BFA and the clubs has been stagnant for several years : “There is the BFA and then there are the clubs- seemingly siblings with different parents. I think the separation between the two bodies emerges because neither knows their roles, responsibilities or rights. For example, the officers of the BFA are unaware that they are there to serve those who elected them to office; and that they are a part of a service institution; therefore, they are to assist the clubs and help them improve, because the clubs’ improvement means a strong association. Clubs’ members are unaware of their rights, and it is due to ignorance and some unknown fear; however, I believe with relief of this ignorance, via formal and informal education-the fear will be removed. I think there needs to be stronger ties and greater collaboration between the clubs, schools, and the BFA”.

Gilkes is not happy the grassroots program of the BFA which he believes is the core of any sports organisation especially if longevity is its intention.  

“When a sports association is building a strategic plan,  the grassroots program always receives significant attention, because the plan benefits the participants at the end of the program. I am not happy with what is occurring at the grassroots level in football. I am more annoyed that the same policies, and operations are employed year after year, and there is an expectation of improvement or a different result. There needs to be a sub group in the association’s technical department which caters specifically to grassroots program. A sub group  which manages and supports youth clubs and their operations;  mentors, assesses, and support youth coaches, strategically monitors the progress of outstanding players, along with any other duties or tasks that will improve the grassroots product, which subsequently leads a greater pool of coaches and administrators to serve at the national level”, Gilkes said.

He believes that coaching education has taken retrograde steps during the past five years: Between 2017 to 2020, Barbados was the leading nation in football education throughout the region. Hosting a number courses promoting the drive for coach education in the region, and  developing future coach educators and instructors, this was done without a coach education department. In 2022/23 a coach education department was established within the BFA, a welcome move especially for me as an educator. However, the wheels of operation within that department were slow initially but now they have seemingly stopped”.

“I know that there are officers within the BFA that are pro education like I am; however, their enthusiasm is being curtailed by superior personnel which is unfortunate. In recent days there has been a subtle attempt to rejuvenate the interest of 2017 to 2020, but I believe most of the constituents of this area of the game have lost trust and interest in the process”, he added.

Gilkes said a lot needs to be done to improve the state of football on the island and expressed the view that the staging of the initial Prime Minister’s Cup last year was a positive move for the sport. .

“The Prime Minister’s Cup was a step in the right direction; however, it addresses only one  of the areas which affect our progress and ability to keep up with our regional and confederation counterparts. We need a development in the form of a curriculum, consistent and quality education platforms for coaches, referees, administrators,  and physiotherapists. A football calendar is imperative, we are into the first quarter of the year and there is no information about the kickoff for the Youth or Women leagues.  There needs to be

 an improvement of faculties; or an assignment of specific fields to aid in the technical development of the game”, Gilkes said.

Gilkes, who is a schoolteacher and a graduate of the University of the West Indies said football play a major role in the development of Barbadians youths, and cited himself as one that has benefited from the game.

“It may sound like a cliche, but football has literally saved my life and provided me with opportunities and experiences that I could never have imagined as a little black boy running around in Bush Hall. I now dedicate my knowledge, skills, and experiences to the sport that has given me so much; professionally, educationally and athletically. Without football, I don’t know who or what I would be today”, Gilkes said.