YOUTH development in the sport is a vital component within the arsenal of the Saint Lucia Football Association [SLFA] Inc. as it moves forward with the overall development of football on the island.
Towards this cause the SLFA, yesterday, presented a set of uniforms to four of the Under-10 clubs participating in the youth competition.
The presentations were made to club representatives, namely: Coolie Town (C.T.) FC, Black Panthers, Knights FC and Monchy FC.
SLFA General Secretary Victor Reid noted that it was important for junior clubs to participate in the various national championships so as to better develop their skills set and knowledge of the game.
“For a national team to be successful, young people must begin training very early …since FIFA and CONCACAF have lately determined that the minimum age for competitions is now 14 years,” he said.
Reid explained that competitions at the local level must begin earlier with the juniors under -14 years, “so that the kids when they get to 14, they are proficient in the skills required to play in an Under-15 National Team”.
He said, the SLFA is “very proud” of the performances from these four top clubs in the junior competition , who “for the past years made sure they had their youth programmes going and that they can participate in these championships and because of their perseverance they have been very successful in what they have done.”
SLFA assistant general secretary Evastus Augustin added that the youth development programme takes an average of three to four years to flourish “by allowing the youth to play at an early age …as it prepares them for the challenges for tournaments or for competing at a higher level.”
He asserted, “We place a lot of emphasis building our youth base, that’s the future.”
Proving a review of the SLFA’s Under-10 Boys competition, Augustin said, 13 teams competed in the club championships, which was divided into two groups A and B. The Northern and Southern Groups consisted of seven and six teams respectively, and the top teams played against each other.
The club representatives acknowledged the support from the SLFA and assured of their commitment to continue to dialogue and build upon the base and future development of the respective clubs.
Charde Desir, President of Monchy FC spoke glowingly about the team’s success as winners of the Under-10 Championships.
He explained that Monchy began its league programme in 2019, and “we had a five-year plan to be the best youth team in five years …and we are already getting some progress with our youth development programme.”
Moreover, the unifying refrain from the representatives to the SLFA was a request for ‘More Footballs’ and additional gear to assist with the development programmes in their respective communities.