THE Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA) Inc. Under 17 Boys Championships will be played at the Desruisseaux Playing Field, which will feature a clash between Black Panthers and Northern United at 6.00p.m.
The Third Place Play Off between Valley Soccer FC and Uptown Rebels will commence at 4.00 p.m. Defending champions New Generations failed to make it to the Play Offs.
The semifinals of the SLFA Inc. Under 17 football competition concluded on March 2, at the Desruisseaux Playing Field.
In a keenly contested encounter with all the goals being scored in the first half, Black Panthers got the better of Valley Soccer 2 – 1 with goals from Zidan Aubert 8th minute and national player Eymani Butcher in the 12th minute.
Ajani Sanganon pulled one back for Valley Soccer in the 21st minute.
In the other semifinal game, Northern United swept past Uptown Rebels 6 – 0.
N United goal scorers were Kevel Francois with a brace from goals in 25’ and 41’, Justice Germain in the 27’ and 65’, while Jorden Peter converted in the 8’, and Kenrick Antoine in the 1’ of added time.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that officials from Saint Lucia’s Semi-Professional Football League [SPFL] held a productive
meeting with representatives of the 19 participating Leagues, last Saturday at the SLFA.s Inc Office in La Clery as football fans await the grand opening of the competition, due to kick off tomorrow, March 10.
The opening doubleheader at the Mindoo Phillip Park [MPP] will feature Marchand vs. Babonneau at 2. 00p.m., with La Clery vs. Gros Islet at 4.00 p.m.
The SPFL consist of two groups; Tier I and Tier II with a relegation and promotional phase in the competition.
In other updates, the Saint Lucia Football Association [SLFA] Inc. is scheduled to stage its 2023 Awards Ceremony on Saturday 30th March at the Financial Centre, Sans Soucis.
Several Awards are up for grabs, inclusive of prestigious and special awards.
A look at some of the nominations submitted by the various Football Leagues, are as follows:
Club of the Year
Bays FC, Black Panthers, and Monchy United.
Coach of the Year
Dillon Thomas – Gros Islet, Zaine Pierre – La Clery, and Shervan Benjamin – South Castries.
Administrator of The Year
Shayne Paul – Gros Islet Football League, and John Sealy – La Clery Football League.
National Lotteries Award for Excellence
Gregson President – Vieux Fort South Football League
Vino Barclette – Vieux Fort South Football League
Racquel John – Canaries Football League
Arnica Louis – Marchand Football League
Team of The Year
La Clery Senior Football Team, and Soufriere Football Team.
League of The Year
Gros Islet Football League, and Soufriere Football League.
In the meantime, the SLFA Inc. held a technical meeting with its Division I and II clubs as it seeks to unveil its 2024 football season.
At that meeting, the SLFA’s recently appointed Events and Competitions Officer Michael Pierre was presented. According to the organisers, the competition will commence in the first week of April.
At the meeting, it was disclosed that Black Panthers and Piton Travel Young Stars were promoted to Division I while B 1 FC and 1987 All Stars have been relegated to the Division II.
Additionally, Challengers and Valley Soccer got promoted to the Division II competition.
[R.A.]