As Saint Lucia’s National Under-14 Girls Football Team prepares to take the field at the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) U-14 Challenge Series in Trinidad and Tobago, they were reminded that sport is far more than competition—it is a vehicle for transformation.
The girls were reminded of this significance by sports enthusiast Natalie John, a Saint Lucian experienced in entrepreneurialship and finance.
From August 15 to 24, Saint Lucia’s under 14 girls will represent their country not just with skill and determination, but with the dreams of a generation yearning for opportunity, visibility, and empowerment. Their journey to the CFU Challenge Series is a testament to what can be achieved when talent is nurtured, leadership is cultivated, and girls are given the space to thrive.
John, who now lives in Saint Kitts but with businesses here not only emphasised the above to the girls but outlined the need for giving back to the community of which they are part of, how to carry themselves as professional footballers both on and off the field, how football can open up opportunities to them for bettering their lives and the need for them to have perspective.
Team captain Aria Andrew and vice captain Andrea Decarres embody the spirit of resilience and ambition. Their voices echo the hopes of many young girls across our island who see football not just as a game, but as a platform for self-expression, growth, and change. Head coach Felix St. Rose’s confidence in the team reflects a broader belief in the potential of youth to rise above limitations and make their mark.
This tournament is more than a regional fixture—it is a developmental milestone, a point made by John, who on Thursday had an engaging session with the girls, stressing the need for teamwork.
John captured the team’s attention by her analogy of how a group of geest flys, which is in a perfect V formation.
Research has shown that as each goose flaps its wings an intense uplift is created for the birds behind them. Further studies state that this “teamwork” adds 71% more flying range compared to a goose flying on its own.
Moral of the Story, noted John, is that teamwork rules the day.
John also noted that Geest stay in formation, explaining to the girls a good team stays together and work together. Sure, times will get tough and they may become annoyed with one another from time to time… but synergy cannot be created by a single person working in isolation.
She noted as well that while flying in V formation the lead goose eventually tires and rotates to the back of the pack to re-charge while another goose takes its place at the front, meaning the girls must share the load amongst themselves.
John called on the girls who are better at the game to help those who are struggling, making it their duty to do so, so that confidence can be built in everyone.
She explained to them that they are not only Saint Lucia’s ambassadors in another country but the importance of proper conduct of themselves as young ladies.
The young ladies received tips on cleaniness, winning with grace and humility, losing a game with dignity, how to stay grounded and focused while in Trinidad and Tobago.
Introduced in 2018, the CFU U-14 Challenge Series aligns with not only FIFA’s grassroots agenda and the CFU’s commitment to holistic growth, but also with the Saint Lucia Football Association’s agenda for the growth of women’s football in Saint Lucia.
The Series offers young players their first taste of international competition, while also training referees, match officials, and coordinators to elevate the sport’s infrastructure across the Caribbean.
As a nation, we must rally behind these girls—not just for the tournament, but for what their participation represents. Let this be a moment where we reaffirm our commitment to gender equality in sport, invest in youth development, and celebrate the power of football to unite, uplift, and inspire.
Their boots may be small, but the impact they carry is immense. Let’s stand with them, cheer for them, and ensure that their journey is not just remembered—but built upon.