The Ministry of Youth Development and Sports recognised the nation’s best and brightest performers at the 2024 National Sports Awards Ceremony on Saturday evening. Following an exceptional year for Saint Lucian sport, Julien Alfred and Johnson Charles repeated as Senior Sports Personalities of the Year, with Daren Sammy named Coach of the Year. The glitzy occasion, featuring the who’s who of local sports, was held at The Pavillion in Rodney Bay.
There was no surprise when Prime Minister Philip J Pierre announced the two most prestigious individual prizes. Alfred’s World Indoor Championship 60m title, Olympic 100m gold and 200m silver, topped off by the Diamond League trophy, represented uncharted territory for Saint Lucia.
The 23-year-old from Monkey Town in Ciceron has already broken two national records this year, and seems well on course to repeating. The Government of Saint Lucia had pledged a reward of $1 million to her back in September, and a cheque in that amount was presented on Saturday evening.
Charles was gifted $10,000. He came off a year in which he was one of the top batsmen for the West Indies in the T20 International format. He added accolades at home and abroad in franchise cricket, including a starring role as the Saint Lucia Kings won their maiden Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title.
The Junior Sportsman of the Year once again went to table tennis phenom DeAndre Calderon, whilst swimmer Fayth Jeffrey took the Junior Sportswoman title. Each will be awarded $7,500 in trust. Calderon, now 20, is eligible to claim his winnings.
Sammy, who oversaw improvement in the West Indies men’s white ball teams as head coach over the past 12 months, was also appointed head coach of the Test team. He also led the Kings from the dugout as they defeated the Guyana Amazon Warriors, though this year, he is likely to be on West Indies duty for the end of the CPL.
Athletics and cricket cleaned up on the night. Association of the Year went to the Saint Lucia Athletics Association. Technical officials of the year came from athletics and cricket, Wayne Rameau and David Oliver. Administrators of the year were Brendaline Descarte and Roseline Preville. And coaching dedication awards were given to Keith Charlery, John Eugene, and Alton Crafton from cricket, Cuthbert Modeste from athletics, and Donaline Joseph from netball.
Winning teams were recognised on the night, including the national women’s and youth cricket teams which won Windward Islands titles in 2024, the boxers who won the Caribbean Champion of Champions and Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States titles, the Caribbean Under-15 table tennis victors, the Under-19 CAZOVA men’s beach volleyball winners, and the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association gold medal women’s team.
That team also produced the recipient of the Sports Journalist Award, captain and setter Cindy Wilson. Elijah Williams of Vybe Radio captured the Sports Journalist of the Year trophy.
For excellent performances in school sports, Soufrière Comprehensive and District 8 (Canaries and Soufrière) were each given $5,000. The Male and Female Student Athletes of the Year were swimmer Noah Dorville and table tennis player Shatal Charles.
Notable achievement awards were given to chess players Chelsea Wahid and Kaieem Elizee, 10-year-old tennis player Riley Smith, La Clery football coach Zaine Pierre, national goalkeeper Vino Barclett, and the Saint Lucia drag racing team.
Two of the biggest rounds of applause went to Pyson Nicholas and Jonathon Joseph. Nicholas, a student of Augier Combined, won the Inspiration Award. Born without legs, he is an active athlete and rides a skateboard. Joseph is a Gros Islet superfan, who assiduously follows the district teams in football and cricket.
Although some of the year’s record-breakers were omitted, swimmers Mikaili Charlemagne, Fayth Jeffrey, Jayhan Odlum-Smith, and Antoine Destang were honoured, along with track and field athletes Joy Edward, Michael Joseph, Naya Jules, Denzel Phillips, Khailan Vitalis, and Julien Alfred.
Minister for Youth Development and Sports, Kenson Casimir handed the Minister’s Award to former footballer and runner Charles Sayers, and coach and administrator Winston Lubin. Michael ‘Midget’ Pierre was given a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Special Olympian of the Year went to Joshua Henry, and chess player, administrator, and advocate Tris Ann Richards was named Alternative Sports Personality of the Year. La Clery, who won every football title on offer in 2024, were Team of the Year.
The ministry thanked sponsors KFC, 1st National Bank, Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain, Saint Lucia Distillers, The Oliver Gobat Sports Foundation, and Blue Waters.
IS coach of the year a new thing?
All they forgot were cat and sheep of the year. Two people winning the same award? There was no tie breaker? O.k children, we are all winners. Congratulations to the athletes.
Great Achievement Champions and keep up with making Saint lucians proud world over..
And,let’s hope many will follow up Some of comments are not on the same level
Thank you for sharing this with
Congratulations to All the winners!
What’s up with our sport Academy and National track @ George Odlum stadium.