A group of 11 student-athletes will pursue their studies at various academic institutions in the USA, marking a crucial step towards their professional career development.
The Saint Lucia Football Association [SLFA] Inc. has collaborated with external agencies and local sports ministry to provide support and opportunities for the athletes, emphasizing the importance of excelling in both academics and sports.
Speaking at a media briefing, on Wednesday, SLFA President Lyndon Cooper stressed the significance of this partnership and urged the student-athletes to maximize this opportunity to enhance their skills and become ambassadors for their nation.
The association’s commitment to sending a representative team to a FIFA World Cup remains steadfast, and the athletes are viewed as key contributors to achieving this goal.
With an investment of $2 million directed at their professional development, the SLFA aims to ensure that their players remain dedicated towards both short-term and long-term goals.
The SLFA president noted that the students’ performances “on and off the field, will be (serve as) a testimony for other athletes to come.”
He added, “Go create a pathway for the others (to follow), be the ambassadors …be the leaders that are going to place the country, and by extension the SLFA on a higher pillar both regionally and internationally.”
Cooper says, the SLFA remains committed to supporting the athletes, “as your generation may the one that is going to achieve that objective (World Cup participation).”
He asserted: “We remain committed to the development and growth of the sport, and to ensure that all our players remain focused.”
Coach Educator Emmanuel Bellas highlighted the successful achievements of Saint Lucian athletes who have benefited from similar football-related scholarships and emphasized the potential for the student-athletes to excel in their pursuits.
The USA Soccer Academy has been instrumental in providing soccer training and securing scholarships for students from the Caribbean to pursue studies at US Collegiate Soccer programmes.
Bellas described the USA Soccer Academy, as “providing soccer training at various levels … and it has a proven track record for assisting Caribbean youth soccer players.”
Coach Anthony Roy, the Director of the Student-Athlete Scholarship Soccer Academy, expressed enthusiasm for the programme’s vibrancy, indicating the numerous opportunities it provides for the development of aspiring student-athletes.
Coach Roy said, he was pleased to be associated with the development of some “bright and disciplined kids” from Saint Lucia. He reported that the soccer academy has invested in excess of US$7 million in scholarships, this year, “and we are closing in on some more deals in getting the students to colleges and universities.”
He adds that the institution caters for 15 sporting disciplines to help athletes enhance their careers.
Added Roy: “I’m looking forward to seeing you guys adding and multiplying …in terms of your national teams, and the talent pool that we have in Saint Lucia.”
Furthermore, Acting Director of Sports Clivus Jules reiterated the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports’ commitment to supporting athletes in maximizing their potential and encouraged the departing student-athletes to serve as ambassadors in their new pursuits.
He implored the students to continue portraying the role of ‘ambassadors’ as they depart from these shores, since “you have a responsibility to your peers, the community that you live in and people (that) you interact with, to let these young people know that there is better out there.”
The student-athletes have been assigned to various academic destinations, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their academic and athletic endeavors.
A list of the student-athletes assigned to their respective destinations are as follows:
– Arnica Louis – Indian Hills Community College
– Giana Hilton – Union College
– Joshua Boland – Point University
– Harmanie Jones – Bryan and Sutton
– Clowie Williams – Bryan and Sutton
– Josh Hunte – Allen Community College
– Shana Scott – Hiland Community College
– Merkhaya Smith – Central Christian College of Kansas
– Shania Charles – Allen Community College
– Sabrina Avril – Bryan and Sutton
– Brittney Moncherry – Bryan and Sutton
[R.A].