Sports

SLFA: Mini Professional Football League Coming In 2021

The Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA) Inc. is continuing its strong working partnership with the Government of Saint Lucia through the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports and the National Lotteries Authority (NLA) in order to strengthen the development of football on the island.

The Association is of the firm view that for the football to improve and be attractive players should be compensated for their efforts which is expected to realize a change in attitude and commitment.

To this end it remains grateful to the Saint Lucia Government for its continued support.

Image: (L-R) SLFA executive members, Kendall Emmanuel, Emmanuel Belase, Stephen Regis, Lyndon Cooper (President), Mary Campbell, Alvin Francis and Charde Desir . (PHOTO: Anthony De Beauville)
(L-R) SLFA executive members, Kendall Emmanuel, Emmanuel Belase, Stephen Regis, Lyndon Cooper (President), Mary Campbell, Alvin Francis and Charde Desir . (PHOTO: Anthony De Beauville)

The staging of this year’s Senior Mens District competition which will assume a new format, will be used as a pilot to set about implementing the Mini Professional Football League (MPFL) in 2021.

Why Inter League: According to the SLFA, the Inter – League / district football is better supported by the community and may be easier to attract sponsorship and it will ensure that the best talent from the various communities is on show.

The new format for this year’s competition is as follows: Ten members / leagues in the Premiere League (Top Tier) – Top ten from the 2019 Island Cup; Nine members / leagues in the Super League (second level); the National Youth team – (Under 17 or Under 15) will be part of the Super League.

There will be a system of Promotion and Relegation – the top two teams in the Super League will get promoted to the Premiere League, while the Bottom two in the Premiere League will get relegated to the Super League.

(L-R) Saint Lucia national Under 17 boys and senior men’s football team. (PHOTO: Anthony De Beauville)

Regardless of performance, the National Youth Team will not be promoted.

Benefits of New Structure: There is a certain degree of stability as members would be aware of their opponents in advance; Planning and budgeting becomes a lot easier with increased stability; The better performing members / teams play at a higher level; It ensures that football at the highest level is more competitive; Incentive for those in the Super League to want to gain promotion.

Meanwhile, Thursday 13th August was the deadline date for the submission of the provisional lists for all teams, Under 11, Under 13 and Under 17 to the Saint Lucia Football Association.

Clubs were reminded that their provisional list must be registered in FIFA Connect. Players who are not registered in FIFA Connect are not eligible to play and must not be played in the championships.

Anthony De Beauville is The VOICE Publishing Company’s multi-award winning sports journalist. He works closely with a number of sports federations including the Department of Youth Development and Sports, the Saint Lucia Olympic Committee and other organizations.

He covers and contributes articles highlighting the areas of international, regional, national, community based clubs and schools sporting activities. There is never an off day as he stays busy... Read full bio...

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