Saint Lucia Shines in 2024: A Year of Historic Sporting Triumphs

The past 12 months marked a game-changing year for Saint Lucian sports, with groundbreaking achievements across multiple disciplines, historic firsts, and international recognition. As we look ahead to what 2025 holds, St Lucia Times takes a moment to reflect on some of the incredible feats and milestones of 2024.

One cannot speak about sports in 2024 without mentioning Julien Alfred. The Ciceron native’s rise to prominence was highlighted on the world stage with a breakthrough year, where she claimed Olympic gold in the 100 metres and silver in the 200 metres at the Paris Olympics – firsts for Saint Lucia. Alfred also won Saint Lucia’s first-ever medal at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in March, claiming gold in the 60 metres with a world-leading time of 6.98 seconds. A Diamond League title on September 13, running 10.88 seconds in Brussels, completed the greatest year ever by a Saint Lucian athlete.

The Government and people of Saint Lucia showcased their appreciation for the athlete’s contributions to her nation with a week of activities that included a motorcade, concert, and the renaming of the Millennium Highway to the Julien Alfred Highway. The island’s sprint queen won the CANOC and ANOC Best Athlete of 2024 honours and was a finalist for World Athletics’ Best Female Athlete of 2024.

Alfred’s success has been the springboard for other athletes to achieve new heights, including Naya Jules, who broke the meet record in the pole vault at the CARIFTA Games. Saint Lucia also set a national record in the mixed 4×400 metres relay. With other track stars, including the likes of Naomi London, also presenting promising possibilities for Saint Lucia on the world stage, could we be seeing the dawn of a new track and field era for the island?

‘Juju-mania’ extended beyond the track this year, as Alfred’s influence and inspiration carried over to other sporting disciplines, particularly on the cricket field. Alfred was referenced multiple times as the Saint Lucia Kings made their way to their maiden CPL title in October, defeating the Guyana Amazon Warriors by six wickets under Daren Sammy’s leadership.

Saint Lucian Johnson Charles was a standout performer, amassing 452 runs in 12 innings at an average of 41.09. Ackeem Auguste, who made history earlier in the year by becoming the first Saint Lucian to score a triple century, exciting all-rounder Shadrack Descartes, and prospect pace bowler McKenny Clarke were also part of the jubilant squad.

Outside of CPL action, the island also hosted ICC Men’s T20 World Cup action this year. Six matches were played in June at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, which was later praised by the ICC as a premier venue for its high-scoring pitch and overall atmosphere.

Saint Lucia also achieved success at the regional cricket level, reclaiming the Windward Islands Under-15 50-Over title.

Qiana Joseph continued to climb the T20 International batting charts as one of three women on the senior team, with Zaida James and newcomer Nerissa Crafton. More Saint Lucians were also called to West Indies teams, including Theo Edward and Selena Ross on the Under-19 men’s and women’s teams, respectively. 

In December, a bow was placed on a phenomenal year for cricket as Saint Lucian cricketing legend Sammy was appointed head coach of the West Indies Test team, in addition to his white-ball coaching duties.

The local sports scene flourished in 2024, with remarkable achievements across disciplines that showcased the island’s talent and determination. From volleyball and football to boxing and motorsports, Saint Lucian athletes and organisations made their mark on regional and international stages, solidifying the nation’s reputation as a rising force in sports.

The year began with an impressive display of volleyball prowess, as Saint Lucia hosted the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Men’s and Women’s Senior Beach Volleyball Championships in Februrary. Later in the year, the women’s volleyball team defended their title at the ECVA Women’s Indoor Championship in Antigua & Barbuda. In a dominant performance, the team swept Bermuda 3-0, affirming their position as regional champions.

Boxing was another highlight of 2024, with athletes achieving tremendous success. The OECS Invitational Boxing Championships brought together 70 of the Eastern Caribbean’s finest boxers. Saint Lucia retained the championship title, earning an impressive 10 gold and 10 silver medals, a testament to the island’s strength in the sport. Internationally, the national team shone at the 7th Annual Winfield Brathwaite Caribbean School Boys and Girls Tournament in Guyana, securing a commendable third-place finish.

Football enthusiasts were treated to an unforgettable year. The national team, affectionately known as the Piton Boyz, achieved a historic upset in the Concacaf Nations League by defeating Curaçao 2-1. This victory marked a significant milestone in the country’s football history. 

The Saint Lucia Semi-Professional Football League (SPFL) was also launched. The league’s first season crowned all-conquering La Clery as Tier 1 champions, while Vieux Fort South triumphed in Tier 2. Adding to the accolades, Saint Lucian international goalkeeper Vino Barclett was named Best Goalkeeper of the 2024 Concacaf Caribbean Cup. His exceptional performances led Cavalier SC to their first-ever victory in the tournament, earning him widespread recognition.

Motorsports also had its moment in the spotlight with the 758 Independence Drags 2024. Held February 21-22, this event attracted motorsport enthusiasts from across the region and added a thrilling dimension to Saint Lucia’s Independence Day celebrations.

Building on the successes of 2024, the island is poised to continue making its mark through individual triumphs, hosting international events, and enhancing local sports infrastructure.