Sports

Cheska Chiquot Aspires to Football Heights

Cheska Chiquot has worked her way diligently into local football circles to currently hold the position as an Assistant Football Development Officer within the Saint Lucia Football Association [SLFA].

Cheska Chiquot
Cheska Chiquot aspiring to football heights.

Her duties entail working directly within the Events and Competitions Department, as well as, the Women Football Department.

Growing up in the westerly coastal district of Anse la Raye, and with natural athletic skills, Cheska ventured into the field of football and got attracted to the game while playing with her brothers, Nicholas and Eric Gabriel. However, she got into competitive football playing with the Stingrays Women Football Club under the guidance of coach Sommers Augustin.

“I have always been an avid sports person and was most encouraged by my mother who believed that one must partake in sporting activity, and so I participated in track & field and netball throughout my years of schooling,” she recalled. “In fact, I was so ‘sports-mad’ that I could be found practicing football on the playing field from 5p.m. until 7p.m. then I would move to the court to play netball.”

Chiquot admits that she has always wanted to emulate her brothers, and “I just wanted to do what my brothers did as I shadowed them everywhere…and when my brother made the Senior Men National Football team, I made a vow I would do the same.”

Her exploits as a left-back with the Anse la Raye Women Team was recognised and, in 2010, Cheska was called up to train for the National Women U-20 Squad. She says that though it was bit difficult to balance her academics with football training, nonetheless, she managed to work it out “by starting off assignments while on the bus going to the training facility.”

In 2011, Cheska made her debut national representation competing at the regional level, as a member of the Saint Lucian Team on a visit to Cuba. “This remains my greatest footballing memory.   Following my U-20 journey I was called up to the Senior Squad, which was quite a competitive environment,” she added.

Chiqout says her ‘love and passion’ for the game has no limits:  “I always knew that my passion for football went beyond being on the field and so I became an administrator, serving on the Youth & Sports Council which was responsible for football in the community prior to the formation of the Football Leagues by the SLFA.”

Subsequently, since the inception of the community leagues, she has served on several occasions as Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Anse la Raye Football League, and is the current secretary of the ALRFL.

In the quest to broaden her knowledge of the game , Cheska undertook and successfully completed the SLFA basic Coaching Course, to earn a Coaching Certification , “which allows me to assist as part of my Club’s Technical Team.”

Chiquot asserts: “My passion lies with Youth and Female Football, and I am always on the lookout for female talent that can be included within the national setup and bringing it to the attention of the responsible individuals.”

This football enthusiast has high aspirations, and in addition to her yearning to become  a C’ Licensed Coach, she says, “ and to one day stand on the side lines as the Head Coach of the Female National Squad as we try to achieve our World Cup goal.”

Chiquot adds:  “For now, I am satisfied to participate in the administration of the various football competitions happening across the island and grow within the organisation, which combines my love of the game with meaningful employment.”

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