Exciting School Sports Season Ahead

On Wednesday, September 23, Saint Lucia’s education and sports officials launched the 2026-2027 School Sports Season at the LOC Conference Room of the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground (DSCG).

This initiative sets the stage for another thrilling year of youth sporting competition and development in Saint Lucia. Present at the launch were representatives from the sporting fraternity, including the Ministry of Education, Youth Development, Sports and Digital Transformation, as well as school officials, coaches, sports administrators, and members of the media.

The newly appointed Permanent Secretary in the Department of Youth Development and Sports, Dr. Cadelia Lane-Ambrose, was also in attendance, emphasizing the Ministry’s commitment to advancing youth and sports development.

During the event, the official 2026-2027 School Sports Calendar of Events was unveiled. This year, the program is set to begin earlier than in previous years, allowing schools, athletes, parents, and stakeholders to be better informed and prepared for the upcoming competitions.

A significant focus for this season will be promoting student-athletes through digital media. The newly launched School Sports 758 social media platform aims to elevate the profiles of young athletes, generate increased public interest, and attract greater corporate sponsorship and partnerships.

In addition to traditional sports such as football, cricket, netball, basketball, and track and field, this season will introduce e-sports, along with developmental programs in lacrosse and teqball, providing students with opportunities to explore two of the fastest-growing sports globally.

Sports Minister Kenson Casimir highlighted the essential role that school sports play in the nation’s sporting development.

“The Daren Sammy’s of the world, Jady Emmanuel, Julien Alfred, Johnson Charles—they all share the common experience of coming through our school sports programs,” Casimir stated. He emphasized the importance of grassroots sports development in the country, calling for greater support from both corporate Saint Lucia and local communities to help guide young people toward positive paths.

Another highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of the 2026-2027 School Sports Calendar by School Sports Coordinator Sabbatus Hunte. He shared a comprehensive outline of activities planned for the academic year.

This launch follows a highly successful 2025-2026 season, during which Saint Lucia won the Windward Islands School Games title and achieved notable successes in the CARIFTA Games, CARIFTA Aquatics Championships, and the Central American and Caribbean Games.

Officials are optimistic that this new season will continue to serve as a platform for nurturing the nation’s next generation of sporting talent.

Deputy Permanent Secretary Rohan Lubon expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for their ongoing support of school sports development.

Competition kicks off from September 28 to 30 with the Inter-Schools Under-19 Football, Netball, and Basketball Championships, signaling the start of what promises to be a memorable season for student-athletes across Saint Lucia.