Dozens of girls from around the island got their first taste of competitive football at the weekend, as the Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA) launched its Under-14 Girls’ Championship at the La Fargue Playing Field in Choiseul.
The tournament is expected to be a crucial tool in helping develop women’s football on the island.
The launch included three 30-minute small-sided matches, during which three goals were scored. Choiseul got the better of Dennery 2-1, all three goals in the first 10 minutes of play.
Daniella Etienne sent Choiseul ahead in the opening minute, only for Anna May Emmanuel to restore parity in the fourth. Kianna Jean hit home in the seventh to seal the deal for what was essentially the home team.
There were goalless draws between a combined Vieux Fort North and South team and Anse La Raye, as well as between Desruisseaux and Canaries.
The competition is also expected to feature teams from Soufrière, Mabouya Valley, Micoud, and Dennery.
Evastus Augustin, the SLFA assistant general secretary with responsibility for competitions, events, and projects, told St Lucia Times the initiative is intended to kickstart the women’s game. In the past, the SLFA has met resistance with its attempts to get the sport going in the schools. Augustin said that just getting the girls to play is important.
“Every competition has an objective, that is to identify talent, select a core group of persons for training to be part of the national programme,” he explained. “We have begun the process very early with 11- to 13-year-olds from the districts who have signed on to participate.”
“As we proceed, the selectors on the ground would then identify those girls for eventual selection. One of the things we wanted to do today was to encourage more girls to play. We find the women’s football component has not taken off as we would like it to. So the president by mandate has said that there will be a women’s league. And we are starting off from the foundational level onwards. So this is really a two to three-year programme, but the commencement starts here,” he added.
The overall coordinator of the league is Denis Didier, supported by SLFA officer Faye Joseph, as well as the leadership of the Choiseul Community League.
Vieux Fort coach Jamil Joseph expressed his pleasure with his team and the commencement of the girls’ competition. He was pleased to see the young ladies getting into the game and urged the SLFA to build on this endeavour and maintain the interest in youth football.
“I find it was a good outcome the girls did—their first game, actually, their first time competing as a team,” he revealed. “So I find they put out a good performance. I could not say anything more about that. I’m happy with their performance, the way that they displayed themselves out there, enjoying the game. The most important thing for me at that age level is having fun, going out and playing.”
“I think it’s a good idea that the SLFA brought life to youth football, especially female football. A lot of girls out there having fun, enjoying the game. You can see the atmosphere — a lot of girls enjoying the football; their parents, their family here supporting them. So it’s a good idea from the SLFA. I just hope that they can continue, and keep youth football active,” Joseph said.
