SLFA Rolls Out Exciting Programme for Women’s Football Month

This year’s 3rd edition of the Women’s Football Month promises to add more thrills to the occasion in an effort to attract more females to the sport.

Saint Lucia National Junior Female team players congregate for regional competition

At a media launch on Monday, officials from the Saint Lucia Football Association [SLFA] Inc. provided an update on the activities in store.

SLFA Women Football Coordinator Mary Liz Campbell spoke about the many exciting events that has been lined up for WFM, stretching in December.

The resounding theme: ‘Let Them Play’ will provide the impetus as the activities unfurl at major venues across the island.

“The Saint Lucia Football Association Inc. has designated November as Women’s Football Month and we are into its’ third year …under the theme: Let Them Play,” Campbell told reporters.

Campbell explained that the “jingle competition” will be held in an effort to select “a jingle that will be used for our Women’s Football matches.”

She said that to assist in the implementation of the programme, the SLFA put together a Women’s task Force comprising, Examin Philibert (chairperson), Carissa Bellas, Chantal John, Sophia Charlemagne and Liz Campbell.

To execute the activities, a planning committee has been put in place consisting of Dara Leon, Chermalyn Albert, Anita Biroo, Fiola Joseph, Novia Regis, Nadja Duboulay, and Women Football Coordinator Liz Campbell.

While acknowledging the input of the “women involved in football”, Campbell added: “The SLFA remains committed to women’s football and will do all in its power to assist in the development of girls and women’s football across the board.

“In so doing, we ask for the support of the schools, clubs, leagues, coaches and the parents.”

SLFA’s General Secretary Victor Reid, noted that Women’s Football Month “is really a period in which we highlight Women’s Football in Saint Lucia to bring to the attention of the public that there is women’s football and we are seeking the support of all women and girls in developing the sport in Saint Lucia.”

Moving forward, Reid said, the SLFA is set on employing “a new strategy …to attract more women and girls in playing the sport, in administration and in providing general support to the game.”

He said that likewise with the National Men’s Football team set up, the SLFA is also set on “professionalizing” the women’s team “so whatever it takes, whatever we have to do to get the girls and motivate them and to sustain the motivation we will attempt to do that.”

In presenting an overview of the Structure of the National Women Football Set Up, SLFA’s Assistant General Secretary Evastus Augustin said more support will be provided to league-affiliates next year, to develop the sport…

He noted that a review will be undertaken with focus on implementing a strategy to develop women football. Focus will also be directed at further developments and improvements in the women’s coaching programme.

Augustin informed that in 2015, CONCACAF introduced the Women’s Development Initiative. “As part of that mandate, the SLFA embraced it … and initiated a series of programmes,” he explained, adding that, “Part of these programmes entailed a strategic plan or strategic plans, which has evolved over the years and normally it has a cycle of four years.”

At the time, he explained, the SLFA embarked on a systematic journey targeting female from the secondary schools on island “to make football the #1 sport of choice.”

Augustin said that subsequently, “resources and finances were pumped into that programme and we had in excess of 400 females playing football.”

The SLFA official recalled that a national team was selected consisting of players from around the island and “we were able to put forward a formidable team that took part in the Female Challenge Series, in Florida.”

Augustin said, since then, there has been a gradual development in women’s football on island and Saint Lucia stands in the reckoning in regional circles.

Moving on, he said, the SLFA has been trying its utmost “to ensure that we maintain a focus, as mandated by FIFA to ensure that the funds used are meant to develop women’s football.”

He explained that part of the SLFA’s plans was to have specific committees at the league level, such as the Development Committee that is involved in this latest activity.

Nonetheless, Augustin argued, the support among the 19 affiliates at the league level “and the output (generated) has not been what is excepted.” He noted that over the years, when women’s competition is ongoing “the support or the turnout is less than desirable”.

He added: “We are working to ensure that additional resources are pumped in…and we have gone back to the drawing board to invite and encourage many more females to join in all aspects of the game.”