Lyndon Cooper, President of the Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA) Inc., is committed to redeveloping and modernizing the football landscape in Saint Lucia, with a particular focus on establishing a well-structured and functional women’s football league.
On June 6, SLFA Inc. convened its 40th Annual Ordinary Congress, where delegates evaluated the previous year’s performance and finalized the budget for the upcoming year.
Key outcomes from the meeting included the approval of the 2025 audited financial statements, a review of the 2025 Executive Report, and the adoption of a $4 million budget for forthcoming SLFA projects.
Event Highlights:
– No Elections: As this was an Ordinary Congress, no executive officer elections were conducted.
– Leadership Updates: President Cooper emphasized a new mandate requiring mandatory coaching certification and child protection training for all youth coaches.
During his address, Cooper highlighted the need for evaluation and strategic intervention to instigate necessary changes. Although he acknowledged that 2025 may not have been the SLFA’s “best year” on the field, he reaffirmed the association’s commitment to modernizing and establishing structures for a brighter future.
“We must continuously seek solutions to the challenges we face, both on and off the field,” Cooper stated, adding that the SLFA is part of a global community that influences its growth and development.
Cooper also announced that significant changes are expected in 2026, marking the beginning of a new strategic plan to advance women’s football on the island.
“In 2027, we will introduce a new Strategic Plan for the SLFA to guide our future consultations,” he said.
He urged member league representatives to contribute meaningfully to the sport’s growth, stressing the need to change perceptions about women’s football.
While ten teams currently participate in the women’s league, Cooper expressed the intent to partner with selected leagues for further opportunities for female athletes, ultimately aiming to establish a competitive female team.
The SLFA president confirmed that this process has already begun and will continue through 2026 and 2027. “We must rethink our strategy regarding both senior national teams,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of a review of past years to refine future approaches. Cooper acknowledged the misconception among members that player recruitment is solely the responsibility of the SLFA and insisted that all players should be available for national selection.
In related news, Cooper announced the resignation of Technical Director Ces Podd and the ongoing search for a replacement. He indicated plans to modify the national selection policy to align with international standards and to re-establish a Coach Educator Department to ensure compliance with best practices in coaching education.
Cooper stressed the importance of certification for district league coaches, stating, “It is only through certification that the game will grow at an unprecedented rate.”
He called for an acceleration in the training of certified coaches and an increase in qualified match officials to handle both regional and international responsibilities.
Strategic Focus Areas:
– National Teams: Preparing the senior men’s team for the Concacaf Nations League and youth squads for regional tournaments.
– Semi-Professional League (SPFL): Preparing for the third season of the SPFL.
– Budget Approval: A $4 million budget was approved to support SLFA-related activities.
– Grassroots Development: Supporting district-level leagues and youth development programs for boys and girls.
The SLFA remains resolute in its mission to elevate the standard of football across all levels in Saint Lucia, paving the way for sustainable growth and development in the sport.
[R.A].