Saint Lucia National Boys Under -14 team to Participate in CFU Challenge Series

SLFA officials, parents, players and technical unit at the media briefing

The Saint Lucia National Boys Under-14 squad is en route to Trinidad and Tobago to participate in the 2024 Under-14 Boys Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Challenge Series Qualifiers.

SLFA President Lyndon Cooper emphasised the dual potential for players to excel both academically and on the field. He reiterated the SLFA’s commitment to supporting all its teams in achieving the ultimate goal: A Saint Lucian Representative team competing at the FIFA World Cup.

With a budget allocation of $4 million, the SLFA faces the formidable task of developing ten national teams over a two-year cycle, aiming to compete at regional and international levels.

Cooper also highlighted the recent reformatting of the FIFA World Cup. Starting in 2025, there will be annual Under-17 and Under-20 World Cup events, as opposed to the previous biennial schedule.

In response, the SLFA is focused on rebuilding sport development within its ecosystem. Cooper emphasized the synergy between sports, football, and education, emphasizing opportunities for players to pursue college and university pathways based on their football skills and academics.

Head coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier stressed the importance of nurturing high-quality players with a positive mindset and attitude toward the game. Despite spending the past 20 years away from the island, Fevrier, a former professional player and coach in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), expressed unwavering dedication to Saint Lucian football.

Fevrier acknowledged that sports are inherently results-driven, but he urged young athletes to balance results with skill development. His goal is to “develop better players for the future of Saint Lucian football,” emphasizing the critical role of player quality, especially in World Cup qualification efforts.

The team’s upcoming schedule includes matches against Saint Maarten, Bonaire (August 17), Bermuda (August 19), and Grenada (August 20). Their journey begins with a game against Saint Maarten on August 16th at the Alto Boldon Stadium.