The opening of the Under-15 Girls Competition last Saturday in Canaries underlined more than just a sport and more than just girls having fun in the ‘Let Them Play’ theme that is attached to the FIFA programme.
The opening was a proclamation of Saint Lucia Football Association Inc., and Saint Lucia at large, investment in girls’ football, and a movement for empowerment, equity, and national pride.
What many Saint Lucians may not know is that the SLFA’s grassroots efforts are laying the foundation for a generation of confident, disciplined, and resilient young women.
Such a foundation is very visible today as several girls have transitioned into Saint Lucia’s national women’s football programme, displaying resiliency, discipline and confidence, all of which were on display last Saturday in Canaries when Raquel John, a current member of the women’s national team addressed the girls.
There is no mistaking that over the years, the SLFA has taken bold strides to uplift women’s football, with a special focus on girls. Through initiatives like Women’s Football Month, themed “Let Them Play,” the SLFA is not just promoting sport—it’s challenging outdated norms and opening doors for girls to thrive.
As noted earlier, at the heart of this movement are grass roots programmes designed to spark interest in football among girls from an early age. These include:
- Youth championships and junior national teams, offering structured competition and skill development.
- Community outreach and school-based clinics, where girls are introduced to the game in safe, supportive environments.
- Creative engagement, like jingle competitions and football-themed events during Women’s Football Month, which make the sport culturally relevant and fun.
What these efforts do is to slowly shift the narrative and create a new one that says—football is not just for boys but also a space where girls can be fierce, focused, and free.
It must also be remembered that the girls who take to the pitch are not just athletes, they are trailblazers. Their dedication is evident in morning practices, weekend matches, and the pride they carry in representing their communities. Football teaches them:
- Teamwork, as they learn to trust and support one another.
- Discipline, through training routines and match preparation.
- Perseverance, in the face of defeat or injury.
- Confidence, as they showcase their talents and grow into leaders.
Today, what we are seeing are parents, once hesitant, now increasingly supportive. Many now see football as a path to personal growth, scholarship opportunities and national representation. The sport is helping girls develop not just physically, but emotionally and socially.
Never must we forget that the benefits of girls’ football ripple far beyond the field:
- Social inclusion: Girls from diverse backgrounds find common ground and build lifelong friendships.
- Health and wellness: Active lifestyles combat non-communicable diseases and promote mental well-being.
- Economic opportunity: Football opens doors to coaching, refereeing, and sports administration careers.
- National pride: Every tournament win is a celebration—not just of skill, but of progress.
There are challenges that threaten the further development of the sport. For instance, uneven media coverage, and lingering gender biases can slow momentum. But the SLFA is not seeing this as reasons to retreat but rather calls to action.
We call on all Saint Lucians to rally behind our girls. This can by done by filling stadiums at matches, investing in facilities and equipment tailored to female athletes, promoting matches and achievements through media and community events.
The SLFA President, Lyndon Cooper has made the point in other forums that when a girls’ team lifts a trophy, it’s not just a win—it is a symbol of what is possible because football is more than a game. It’s a classroom, a stage, a revolution.
To all Saint Lucians, celebrate the SLFA’s efforts at staging girls football tournaments, honour the girls who play, and commit—as a nation—to building a future where every girl who dreams of football has the chance to shine.