The stage is set for the Saint Lucia Football Association Inc. (SLFA) in collaboration with the Windward Islands Football Association (WIFA) to host the 2019 Windward Islands Senior Women’s football tournament. The event will kick off today (Tuesday 2nd July) at the Daren Sammy Cricket Grounds.
The tournament will crown the WIFA’s champion at this level. Grenada is the defending champion.
Participating countries include Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica and host Saint Lucia.
On the pitch, this evening from 6.00 p.m. in game one, Grenada plays Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Saint Lucia plays Dominica at 8:00 p.m.
On Thursday 4th, Dominica takes on Grenada at 6:00 p.m. and Saint Lucia plays Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at 8.00 p.m. in the battle of the Saints.
The final round of matches is scheduled for Saturday July 6th with Dominica up against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at 6.00 p.m. and defending champions Grenada versus Saint Lucia at 8.00 p.m.
Saint Lucia finished third last year.
The Saint Lucia squad has been training for the past few months under the supervision of head coach Trevor Anderson.
Speaking at a media briefing, Anderson said, “The team preparation was really important; at the beginning I was not satisfied with what I was seeing in terms of the local players. At one point I said to myself, I do not have a good team.”
He added, “I had constant dialogue with the manager Liz Mary Campbell in terms of the overseas players as to when the overseas players would be coming. I know they are capable; they have good technique and they know the game very well. They are all here right now so I am feeling better. We have a complete team and the objective is to win this year and we are going all the way.”
A number of the players will have some international experience, either at the senior or Under 17 level.
The Saint Lucia squad reads: Elliasia Marquis (captain), Kenna Lionel, Namaly Flood, Ilana Lashley, ErnashaNanton, Lyla Lionel, ShanashaPrevot, TangiLansiquot, Tiffany Allain, Chresilda Cox, Vionce Weeks, Britanya St Prix, Tamara Edward, Samara Edward, Emma Clovis, Marva Herman, Sylvie Willie, Janell and Thai Fowell.
SLFA President Lyndon Cooper spoke to the VOICE before going to press on Monday. He said, “The staging of such an event will require all stakeholders to work together to make the event a major success. This is the first time Saint Lucia will be hosting the tournament since its revival and we are very thankful for this opportunity. The Saint Lucia Football Association stands ready to host the best of the federations’ senior women and we do hope to make their time here very memorable.”
