The Saint Lucia Football Association had a busy weekend in celebration of International Women’s Day on Saturday, March 8. Three activities were held – in La Fargue, La Clery, and Grande Riviere – to include players, coaches, match officials, and administrators.
In La Fargue, the Choiseul Football League hosted another round of matches in the SLFA Girls Under-14 Championships.
Emaline Hunte, chair of the Women’s Football Task Force, delivered the feature address, during which she highlighted the synergy and the opportunities that football offers to girls and women. She also highlighted the power that the sport has in engaging young persons in developing coping and decision-making skills.
On the pitch, Choiseul and Vieux Fort South & North played to an exciting 1-1 draw. Alphia Edward opened the scoring in the 29th min for Choiseul, while Tamar Joseph equalised for her opponents with an own goal in the 40th minute.
Dennery defeated Desruisseaux 7-0. Faye Alphonse netted a glut in the 44th, 53rd, 66th, and 68th minutes. Anna May Emmanuel opened the scoring and tallied a brace in the 38th and 65th minutes.
Soufriere emerged 1-0 winners over Anse La Raye, Dildra Cherubin scoring in the 63rd minute. Eight leagues and seven teams are taking part in this tournament.
The SLFA also held a Safeguarding Workshop for coaches at the organisation’s headquarters in La Clery. Raejean Montoute, the SLFA safeguarding officer, conducted the workshop and made presentations to 12 coaches. She is also responsible for the process of finalising the SLFA’s Safeguarding Policy, which FIFA has already commended. The SLFA is undertaking to provide all its national team coaches and club coaches with training in Safeguarding.
Leanna Wallace and Ashley Duncan led a referee development training workshop for a small group of interested women. The referee instructors conducted the course at the Grand Riviere TVET Institution. The goal is to continue to build the capacity of women referees and to continue the recruitment programme aimed at attracting more women to refereeing.
An official message from SLFA president Lyndon Cooper highlighted the SLFA’s continued support for women in football and the association’s thrust in the redevelopment of the national women’s football programme. Last year, the organisation assisted nearly 10 young players in getting scholarships to universities and colleges in the USA.
