The Saint Lucia Football Association Inc. (SLFA Inc.) continued its grassroots girls’ football development programme, “Who Gets the Ball Next?”, with a successful festival in the community of Micoud on Saturday, October 24, 2026. Girls from neighbouring Mon Repos also participated.
More than just an introduction to football, the programme is designed to create an environment where young girls can develop a passion for the sport while learning its fundamental skills. For many participants, it was their first or second experience kicking a football, but the day was filled with excitement, enthusiasm, and a growing belief that football could become an important part of their lives.
The atmosphere on the playing field reflected the programme’s core objective: introducing young girls to the beautiful game in a fun, inclusive, and supportive setting. Beyond running, passing, shooting, and scoring goals, the participants displayed joy, confidence, and a genuine love for the sport. Their enthusiasm continues to motivate the SLFA Inc. to expand opportunities for girls as young as five or six years old to become involved in football.
Students from the Mon Repos Patience Combined School, Micoud Primary School, and Micoud Secondary School participated in the festival, bringing energy, determination, and excitement throughout the day’s activities.
The festival provided participants with a welcoming space to embrace football, develop new skills, build confidence, make friends, and discover opportunities within the sport.
As part of the SLFA Inc.’s grassroots development initiative, four girls’ football festivals have been held this year, covering South Castries, Vieux Fort North, Babonneau, Micoud/Mon Repos. Each festival is aimed at bringing football closer to young girls and encouraging greater female participation in the game.
The SLFA Inc. extends sincere gratitude to the National Lotteries Authority (NLA) and Forest Springs for their continued sponsorship and support of the programme.
Special thanks are also extended to the football leagues, parents, schools, coaches, community members, and the many young participants whose commitment and enthusiasm continue to make the initiative a success.
The programme now moves to Choiseul on November 21, 2026, where the final Girls’ Football Festival of the year will be held.
Throughout the festivals, participants engage in a variety of football activities designed to develop fundamental skills, including dribbling, passing, shooting, ball control, and coordination exercises. These sessions are followed by small-sided matches that allow the girls to apply and showcase their newly acquired skills in a game environment.
The ultimate objective of the “Who Gets the Ball Next?” initiative is to establish strong youth girls’ teams within communities across Saint Lucia, creating a pathway into the SLFA’s Girls’ and Women’s competitions.
The programme aims to retain at least 25 girls in each community, ensuring that the enthusiasm generated during the festivals translates into long-term participation and development opportunities for young female footballers throughout the island.