Desruisseaux and Canaries were in winning form as matches continued in the SLFA Girls Under-14 Championships last Saturday at the La Fargue Playing Field in Choiseul.
In a competitive match, Choiseul faced their first defeat of the tournament, losing to Desruisseaux with a score of 2-1.
Joyceline Neptune opened the scoring for Desruisseaux in the 5th minute, followed by Alysia Emmanuel, who scored in the 28th minute. Choiseul’s Kianna Jean found the net in the 10th minute.
In another thrilling encounter, Canaries narrowly defeated Soufriere 3-2. Dreamer Longville scored twice for Canaries, netting goals in the 36th and 42nd minutes, while Kayla Toussaint contributed with a goal in the 19th minute.
Soufriere’s two goals came from unfortunate own goals by Canaries players Kayla Toussaint and Vanyah Flavius in the 67th and 68th minutes, respectively.
Anse La Raye won their match by default against Dennery.
In recent years, women’s soccer has gained significant momentum on the island. This month’s extended International Women’s Day celebrations served as a perfect opportunity to highlight the extraordinary skills of young female talent.
The Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA) has taken critical action to promote the development of female football locally by equipping technical units with robust training workshops and programmes tailored for youth engagement.
Earlier this month, the SLFA hosted a dynamic ‘mini-exhibition’ challenge for Under-14 Girls at the La Fargue playing field in Choiseul, bringing together six competitive teams. The excitement around the Under-14 Girls Football competition has been palpable, as junior teams have been participating each Saturday in a spirited environment.
At the Choiseul event, speakers and team representatives expressed unwavering support for the girls’ competition, commending the SLFA and its sponsors for making this initiative a reality.
Tricia Dalson, Women’s Football Coordinator with the Choiseul Football League, stated: “The opportunities available to you as student-athletes are inspiring. It is thrilling to see so many girls participating. We are optimistic about the future of our female football development programme in Choiseul and throughout Saint Lucia. We appreciate the support from parents, managers, and coaches—continue to encourage these young athletes, and good luck to all the girls. Have fun and play hard.”
SLFA President Lyndon Cooper expressed gratitude for the participation in the girls’ football competition, affirming: “This Under-14 tournament will become a permanent fixture within the SLFA’s development programme. As we head into 2025, we are committed to facilitating even more activities and play opportunities for all Under-14 girls. Thank you for your involvement, and may the best team win.”
Member of Parliament (MP) for Choiseul, Bradley Felix, emphasized the dedication shown by the participating teams: “This initiative demonstrates strong commitment from the teams across various communities. To the young ladies: as you navigate life’s challenges and distractions, channel your energy positively. I urge everyone to support you on the field and hope to see more supporters by next year. Stay focused on your goals; reaching the top is challenging but achievable through commitment.”
Emaline Hunte, Chair of the SLFA’s Women’s Task Force, acknowledged the trailblazing women who have paved the way: “We honour the remarkable achievements of figures like Shernell Marquis, Anicka Louis, Chermalyn Hippolyte, and Krysan St Louis. You are shaping the future of women in football. Football transcends mere sport; it fosters growth and allows women and girls to display their abilities. You are not just players; you are the future leaders and role models for the next generation of aspiring female athletes.”
To commemorate the occasion, several other activities were organized:
– Women Referee Development Training: Eight women referees took part in a training programme led by instructors Ms. Leanna Wallace and Ms. Ashley Duncan at the Grand Riviere Mabouya Valley Secondary School. This initiative is part of the SLFA’s ongoing efforts to expand the pool of women referees and encourage more women to pursue careers in officiating.
– Safeguarding Workshop for Coaches: Ms. Raejean Montoute, the SLFA’s Safeguarding Officer, conducted a workshop for 20 coaches at the SLFA Headquarters. This session is part of the association’s initiative to ensure that all national and club coaches receive proper training in safeguarding. Additionally, the SLFA is in the process of finalizing its Safeguarding Policy with the assistance of FIFA.