A historic first season for the Saint Lucia Semi-Professional Football League (SPFL) officially came to an end on Friday, January 24, with a grand award ceremony. The efforts of teams from Tier 1 and Tier 2, along with players and coaches, were recognised and rewarded. Additionally, cheques were handed out to the winning teams, aligning with the league’s goals to “leverage football to transform lives.”
Among the key awards presented was the Emmanuel Bellas Best Players Award. Named in honour of the legendary late football coach and administrator, this award highlighted the players in each tier whose overall performances were adjudged best in the tournament.
For Tier 1, Simeon Francis from Central Castries claimed the prestigious honour. The midfielder, who also earned Best Midfielder of the Tournament and Golden Boot honours for his tier, finished the league stage with 10 goals. While Francis’ team narrowly missed out on the title, ending second to La Clery, his impact did not go unnoticed.
For Tier 2, Dahmani Berthier won the award. The midfielder was integral to everything his Anse La Raye team did in the tournament, finishing the group stage with five crucial goals and providing key link-up play with his teammates during their run to a third-place finish.
On the sidelines, championship coaches Zaine Pierre of La Clery and Jamil Joseph of Vieux Fort South walked away with Coach of the Tournament honours for Tier 1 and Tier 2, respectively. Their leadership was crucial to their teams’ triumphs, as seen by the rapturous applause from players who watched as their coaches were honoured.
The complete list of awards presented on the night are as follows:
TEAM AWARDS
Best Defensive Team
- Winner: Anse La Raye (Tier 2)
- Winner: Dennery (Tier 1)
Best Attacking Team
- Winner: Vieux Fort South (Tier 2)
- Winner: La Clery (Tier 1)
Most Improved Team
- Winner: South Castries (Tier 2)
- Winner: Mabuoya (Tier 1)
Fair Play Award
- Winner: South Castries (Tier 2)
- Winner: Mabouya Valley (Tier 1)
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Best Coach/Manager
- Winner: Jamil Joseph, Vieux Fort South (Tier 2)
- Winner: Zaine Pierre, La Clery (Tier 1)
Emmanuel Bellas Best Player (MVP)
- Winner: Dahmani Berthier, Anse La Raye (Tier 2)
- Winner: Simeon Francis, Central Castries (Tier 1)
Best Young Player Award
- Winner: Bernard Antonine, South Castries (Tier 2)
- Winner: Aaron Daniel, Castries Central (Tier 1)
Top Scorer (Golden Boot)
- Winner: Obafemi Poyotte, Vieux Fort South (Tier 2)
- Winner: Simeon Francis, Central Castries (Tier 1)
The inaugural season of the SPFL was filled with intrigue, surprises, and outstanding performances. In Tier 1, during the league phase, Central Castries secured the top spot with 24 points, followed by Gros Islet (20 points), Dennery (20 points), and La Clery (16 points). The Boys from “LA” eventually triumphed over their city rivals during the playoff rounds to become the Premier League Champions, clinching the title with a 3-1 victory.
In Tier 2, the season’s biggest surprise was the remarkable performance of South Castries. After struggling for years to assemble district clubs, the team finished the league phase in first position with 18 points. The other playoff contenders were Anse La Raye (16 points), Roseau (15 points), and Vieux Fort South (14 points). Inspired by their admiration for Emmanuel Bellas, who was at the time fighting for his life after a bout of illness, the boys from Vieux Fort South dominated the playoff stage, defeating South Castries 5-1 in the final to claim the second-tier Super League championship, and promotion to Tier 1 for 2025.
Chairperson of the SPFL and Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, Dr Uralise Delaire, noted that this inaugural SPFL is merely the beginning of what is to come for football development in Saint Lucia.
“I am confident that with strategic investment and collaboration, football in Saint Lucia can become a powerful force for positive change—transforming lives, empowering our youth, strengthening communities, and addressing social and economic challenges,” she said. “Congratulations to all the leagues who participated in the inaugural SPFL, the dedicated referees and match officials, the hard-working team who prepared the fields, and the passionate fans who faithfully supported their teams wherever and whenever they played.”
Minister of Youth Development and Sports Kenson Casimir thanked all who contributed to the elevation of local football, stating: “This league has elevated football in Saint Lucia and set a new standard for the sport. To every team, coach, player, and supporter, I want to thank you for your hard work, your commitment, and your belief in the power of this league. Without your contributions, this season’s success would not have been possible. You are the true champions of this journey, and your efforts make the SPFL such a monumental achievement for our country.”