SLSA Crowned U-16 Football Champions

In a nail-biting climax to the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports Under-16 Secondary Schools’ Football Tournament, Saint Lucia Sports Academy (SLSA) emerged champions with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School (LHCSS). The pulsating final took place at the Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA) Technical Center in Grande Riviere, Dennery, on Friday, June 13, 2025.

SLSA wasted no time in stamping their authority on the match, as No. 16 Merlan Cools found the back of the net in the 7th minute, sending an early warning to the opposition. Eleven minutes later, team captain and midfield general, Leon Vidal, doubled the lead with a clinical finish in the 18th minute, pushing SLSA firmly in control.

LHCSS, however, showed resilience and determination. In the 36th minute, No. 9 Amari Plummer reignited their hopes by pulling one back just before halftime, cutting SLSA’s lead to 2-1 and setting the stage for a fierce second half.

As the wind picked up and both teams dug deep, the intensity grew. In the 78th minute, LHCSS’s No. 19 Zehniel Micheau delivered the equalizer to bring the scores level at 2-2, sparking wild celebrations from the Hess supporters.

But SLSA wasn’t finished. With the clock winding down, up stepped captain fantastic Leon Vidal once again, this time sealing the match with a dramatic winner in the 80+1 minute. The final whistle blew to scenes of jubilation as SLSA lifted the coveted title.

In the post-match awards ceremony, Vidal’s outstanding performance was fittingly recognized. He walked away with the tournament’s top honors, including Best Midfielder, MVP of the Final, and MVP of the Tournament.

Other individual accolades included:

Best Goalkeeper – Jevonte Toussaint (Leon Hess Comprehensive)
Best Defender – Janai Mathurin (Saint Lucia Sports Academy)
Most Goals – Mickel Mitchel (Soufriere Comprehensive Secondary School)

The final showcased not just skill and determination, but the rising talent in Saint Lucia’s youth football scene—a promising glimpse into the future of the national game.