Team 758 Under-15 Boys to Compete in CONCACAF Challenge

Team 758 Under-15 Boys, technical staff and officials.

SAINT Lucia’s National Under-15 Boys team and technical staff are optimistic about their chances in the 2023 CONCACAF Boys Under-15 Championships to be held in Curacao from August 6 to 13.

Players, technical unit, parents of the team members and officials from the Saint Lucia Football Association [SLFA] Inc., gathered at the SLFA’s base, Wednesday, with “high expectations” for a media briefing and team discussion before their departure. The team left Saint Lucia yesterday.

Commenting on the journey ahead for the junior players, SLFA President Lyndon Cooper said, he was pleased with the level of preparations undertaken by the technical staff and commends the parents’ support towards the team’s overall build up

He noted that there has been a progressive transition of the team through the stages from the U-14 to U-15 and U-17 leagues.

“The Under-15 squad will provide an assessment of the team structure and the changes and interventions that we have to undertake before we move into the Under-17 World Cup,” said Cooper.

He appealed to the players that “you must put your best foot forward and do your utmost to show that there is a possibility that we can move forward as a team and as an association.”

The SLFA president added, “We remain committed to the development of the sport and the Under-15 team in that thrust”.

He commended the SLFA membership, technical and support staff “for keeping this team in training as part of the overall plan.”

Cooper reiterated that part of the SLFA’s key philosophies from a policy standpoint were “to develop the game …and to take this country to the next World Cup.”

He said the next big agenda in global football will be the Under-17 World Cup “and we expect that we should be able to at least create an impact as we have done in the past.”

Head Coach Ryan Desir apprised reporters about the intensity of the training sessions, as well as, helping the players to develop their mental aptitude and physical prowess to compete. He noted that the SLFA utilised buses from their respective regions to get the players to the SLFA’s Technical Facility where they underwent intensive training sessions in preparation for the tournament.

He explained that they had done an “amazing amount a work” in putting the team together and help to gel their talents with mental toughness and team structure.

“Our journey now culminates with Under-15 football …but we are looking ahead to the Under 17s, and this group in the main will form the core of what that team will be,” said Desir.

Commenting on the massive team build up, thus far, he added: “We have come from a position that shows the difference between where we were and where we are now…I am confident that going into this competition will prove you guys are ready for the next level.”

Desir asserted that, this developmental journey points in the direction of “our future world cup squad, so while this stage is sufficiently important it is …a stepping stone to where we want to get to.”

Saint Lucia plays in League B-Group F, alongside Barbados, Guadeloupe, and Guyana. Team 758 will play three consecutive games on the trot, from August 6 to 8.

Justin Augustin will wear the captaincy band with Alex Devaux as vice-captain.

The squad is as follows: Goal keepers – A’Dee Germe, Laborie; Tyrell Vidal – Dennery; Defenders – Jophran Phillip – Castries, Malik Louis – Gros Islet, Adriano Auguste – Anse La Raye, Eli Prospere – Dennery, Jerald Henry – Dennery, Justin Augustin – Micoud; Midfielders – Thierry Morille –– Gros Islet, Alex Devaux – Castries, Michael Justin – Gros Islet, Omarion Edwin – Castries, Keenan Joseph – Castries, Devraj Edward – Babonneau, Traylon Henry (striker) – Gros Islet, Justice Germaine – Gros Islet, Kailon Flavius – Soufriere, Shevon Byron – Babonneau.

The team will be managed by Shane Paul with Ryan Desir, Head Coach, Sommers Augustin Asst. Coach, Bernard President Goal Keeping Coach and Dr. Ravie Chiquot as the Physician.