THE Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA) Inc. is charged with actively promoting female football on the island, launching an array of programmes and competitions to engage more young girls, garner community support, and secure corporate sponsorship for this vital initiative.
With the emphatic tagline: “Let Them Play,” the SLFA has kicked off the Under-14 Girls Championships at La Fargue, Choiseul, assessing the abilities of young girls from various communities across the country.
The event, which began last Saturday, was a remarkable showcase, with young girls demonstrating their skills in thrilling 70-minute matches played in a seven-a-side format.
SLFA General Secretary Victor Reid provided an update to reporters regarding the girls’ football project and its ambitious objectives. He emphasized that the Under-14 National Girls Championship is a central element of the SLFA’s strategy to revitalize girls’ football in Saint Lucia.
“The project is designed to engage girls from diverse districts, schools, and communities, presenting football as a fun and enjoyable sport for them,” asserted Reid.
He also highlighted the project’s goal of “identifying talent” to refine skills for future national representation. Before the competition, the SLFA organized practice matches, tasking an SLFA unit with scouting talent in local communities, which led to the formation of district teams eager to participate in the tournament.
Furthermore, the SLFA is committed to continuing the Senior Women’s competition, set to begin in April, and is planning an Under-10 Girls challenge along with an Under-16 Girls Championship.
This Women’s Football project is backed by FIFA and the SLFA as a significant investment in the future of the sport, Reid declared with confidence. The ongoing girls’ championship will span approximately two months, allowing the girls ample time to play, enjoy the game, and promote it within their respective districts, inspiring others to join in.
In this pivotal “development stage,” the girls will gain exposure to football fundamentals, with the hope that this knowledge will take root within various clubs and districts. SLFA officials stated that while the inaugural championship will primarily be held at La Fargue playing field, plans are underway to expand the competition to other venues, supported by significant upgrades to sports facilities across the island.
Reid commended the Choiseul Football League for its unwavering enthusiasm in boosting female participation, proudly noting that over 20 young females are currently engaged in the sport.
Coach of the Vieux Fort team and former national player, Jamil Joseph, expressed satisfaction with the involvement of girls as young as eight and nine, emerging from the school system and district clubs. He remarked on their eagerness for the sport and enthusiasm during training sessions.
Sommers Agustin, Technical Officer with the Anse La Raye team, praised the initiative, stating that their participation in the senior women’s league was a proactive step that led them to ensure they develop a young “grassroots team” that will strengthen the women’s senior team as the competition progresses.
Augustin acknowledged the strong support from parents for allowing their daughters to play, affirming that this initiative is a breakthrough that has long been awaited, and he is proud that the SLFA has made it happen.