Trinidad native Dion La Foucade is the new man responsible for Cayman’s national women’s programme, the Cayman Islands Football Association has announced.
La Foucade, a former technical director of Trinidad and Tobago Football Association and head coach of the T&T national under-17 boys team comes to Cayman with over 30 years’ experience in the sport. He replaces former Cayman women’s coach Alexander Gonzalez.
CIFA said that La Foucade will be responsible for the day-to-day duties of the women’s programmes, which included, but was not limited to, preparation for international competitions, and creating a sustainable development plan which encompasses youth and senior players.
In response to questions from the Compass at the press conference held 7 June, La Foucade said that his goal is to bring true passion back to the game, starting at the grassroots level.
“There must be a conveyor belt to bring the players all the way through,” he said. “It’s about who is coming up. It’s about helping those players reach as far as they can and raising their level. I am going to give them the when, the where, the how, but also the why.”
According to CIFA, La Foucade has signed a one-year contract. However, during the press conference, the association noted their desire for him to stay longer should he find his new position a suitable fit.
“I’m in it for the long haul,” La Foucade said, noting that he is committed to leaving the state of Cayman’s women’s football better than how he found it. To do that, he said discipline would be key to moving forward with the players.
“In every group or in every family, you are always going to have someone that goes against what their core values are about,” he said, adding that he wanted to give every player a clean slate.
“There is a criterion…and I am going to reinforce it,” he said. “It’s very important. How you conduct yourself in training, how you conduct yourself when you’re travelling, people look at you. To whom much is given, much is required.”
And while La Foucade will enforce rules, he said he will give second chances to the players, highlighting sports as a way to keep people on the straight and narrow.
“I don’t believe in writing players off, because I believe we cause a problem for somebody else,” he said. “But if a player decides that they don’t want to follow the rules, then there is a consequence to that as well. Hopefully, we don’t have to go that route.”
La Foucade, like previous Cayman national coaches Carl Brown and Benjamin Pugh, comes with elite ties and experience. He has coached throughout the Caribbean, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Teams like Manchester United, Liverpool FC and Blackburn Rovers F.C have all made employment recommendations for La Foucade in the past – which was confirmed with documents sent to the Compass.
He is hoping to translate his experience and ties into developing Cayman players beyond the local ranks into universities and possibly pro clubs.
“With all humility, I am somebody that has resources with bringing in expertise,” La Foucade said. “Without giving any names, I have already spoken with prominent people in football, and they said, Dion, if you want us to come and it can be funded some way or the other, we will come.”
He added that he is working with CIFA executives to find more ways for the women’s team to take part in international friendly games, whether through arranging international fixtures in Cayman or travelling more.
“That comes down to funding,” La Foucade said. “I’ve talked to the executives and the finance committee… will be doing their best… to see how we can give the girls the best chance but at the same time we have to be realistic.”
He insisted that the plans for overseas opportunities for both players and teams be run through CIFA. However, La Foucade noted that without the help of government and private organisations, his goals would be more difficult to achieve.
“It takes a village,” he said. “It’s not just one person… it takes the players, the association, the government, the sponsors, officials, everybody.”
La Foucade also spoke about scouting players in Cayman’s domestic league as well as helping CIFA find ways to intensify the competition in women’s football.
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