Management at the St Lucia Football Association [SLFA] Inc. are pushing ahead with its innovative and supportive ‘Adopt A School’ programme following the disruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
At a recent press briefing, officials recalled that the programme initially aimed to train and develop a cadre of persons from eight Secondary Schools island-wide in a Pilot Programme.
According to an SLFA official, training will be provided in various aspects of football development identified as priority areas. While it is the ultimate aim of the SLFA Inc. to incorporate all secondary schools in the programme at some point, however, as a new initiative, the football organisation will pilot the programme in the eight schools identified.
The Adopt A School programme enables the SLFA Inc. to be an integral partner in school football and to provide an avenue for the development of a proper school league.
As part of the school’s obligation under the Adopt A School Programme, the selected schools have agreed to provide the following components;
– A male Under 14 team consisting of 16 – 20 players and likewise a female contingent.
– A minimum of 12 persons to serve in the capacity of Referees, Assistant Referees, Match Commissioners, First Aid Responders, Coaches and Football Managers.
The SLFA Inc. have assigned qualified and reputable coaches to each of the schools and to jump start the programme they were provided with a set of equipment.
The schools featuring in the programme are, namely; Anse Ger Secondary, Beanfield Secondary, Clendon Mason Memorial, Grande Riviere Secondary, Jon Odlum Memorial Secondary, Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary, St. Joseph’s Convent and Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary.
Meanwhile, last week, the SLFA Inc. staged another League Development Workshop for its affiliates in the Southern Zone, at Leisure Inn in Soufriere.
Executive members from the following Football Leagues that attended the workshop, included representatives from Soufriere, Choiseul, Laborie, Vieux Fort North and Vieux Fort South.
SLFA President Lyndon Cooper addressed participants at the workshop, which was facilitated by SFLA officials Victor Reid, Evastus Augustin, Emmanuel Bellas and former Director of Sports Patrick Mathurin.
Among other matters, the workshop focused on the following criteria; Role and Function of the Football Association, Club Structure, its Role and Function in Football, The Role of the League Executive Committee, and Governance, and its importance in Football Development.