Once the envy of the Caribbean, the Mindoo Phillip Park was turned into a football academy for at least 3 hours on Friday 24th May 2019 as football Coach Trevor Daniel staged the inaugural “Kick It Destiny” football festival for close to 130 young aspiring female footballers representing 14 primary schools from the Castries basin to also include Gros Islet and environs.
The event which was sponsored by 1st National Bank, Windward and Leeward Brewery Limited (WLBL), DIGICEL, KFC, Crystal Clear and Synergy Sport saw the young ladies along with a number of coaches engaged in various football drills from 10 different work stations.
Speaking at the opening, the man behind the scenes, Trevor Daniel, welcomed all the participants to the event.
“This is a perfect opportunity to give these young girls the foundation required to get a better life,” he said. “This event is a festival/developmental programme; it’s a new curriculum exposing the girls to a specific type of training which is designed to keep them interested in the sport for a long time.”
According to Daniel, the girls will be going through a nine month session inclusive of specific drills and skills training that will keep them on par with the boys, or even ahead of them. By age 12, the aim is that these young ladies will be ready to play football and compete.
1st National Bank representative Robert Fevriere said, “As the title sponsor, 1st National Bank is very proud to be associated with such a programme. We believe it’s a foundational and developmental programme. It is not a one off programme… there is continuity. We see this programme not just from the sporting perspective, but in terms of empowering these young girls from a tender age, setting the foundation, encouraging them to dream big and to do something different.”
He continued, “This programme gives them more opportunity to think on a larger scale and to see what their options are going forward. It’s a structured programme and it’s going to continue within the school system as well and that could only augur well and build their self-confidence so they can go forward.”
WLBL Junior Category Manager (Malts, Energy and Water) Fern Wilson – Jean said, “I am so happy to be here, because I am so delighted when I see young ladies partaking in sporting activities, especially football, because sports is a great platform for you to grow mentally and physically into strong and powerful women.”
She added, “Super Malt is keen to sponsor events that help youth development… Football has a transformative power – it teaches you team work, cooperation, leadership, and this combined with the physical fitness aspect will help you grow to become strong women in your respective communities.”
Speaking on behalf of Parliamentary Representative for Castries Central, Sarah Flood-Beaubrun, was Shanna Joseph from Synergy. She noted, ‘Kick It Destiny’ and its theme “From Barbie Dolls to Boots and Football Opening Doors” were very innovative, and that is was overall a much needed programme for Saint Lucia. Honourable Flood- Beaubrun commended Coach Trevor Daniel for his passion in the field of sport, and for his contributions past, present and future to Saint Lucia.
With initiatives like Kick It Destiny, the future of sports in Saint Lucia will certainly be something to watch closely. There is no doubt that the young female participants will continue to make us proud!
