Eddie Hazell will step down as president of the Saint Lucia Aquatics Federation (SLAF) this weekend, after six years of leadership. SLAF holds its annual general meeting (AGM), the main feature of which will be an electoral congress. It will be a battle of the swim mums to replace Hazell. Current members of the SLAF executive, Paula James and Constance René, will contest the presidency of the federation.
Saturday’s AGM will be held at the Coco Palm conference room. The new executive will run the affairs of the national governing body for the next two years. The position of president is the only one of eight roles that will be contested. Peter James, Tessa Charles-Louis, and Yasmin Tyson will continue as vice-president (technical), treasurer, and aquatic development officer, respectively. As of May 24, no nominations were received for vice-president (administration), general secretary, fundraising officer, or public relations officer.
James, a former banker and a long-time administrator, has been vice-president (administration) for more than half a decade. She previously served two terms in the top job. As executive director of the Saint Lucia Manufacturers Association, James’ sons, Peter and Marlon, swam competitively as children. Today, both are club coaches, and Peter has followed in his mother’s footsteps as an aquatics administrator.
René most recently served as SLAF secretary, but the professional educator has also served the local aquatic community as a technical official and a fundraiser at club and federation level. A mentor for the World Aquatics Mentorship Programme, focusing on advancing good governance within national federations, she is the mother of Olympic swimmer and multiple national record holder Mikaili Charlemagne.
Outgoing president, businessman, and swim dad, Eddie Hazell will remain part of the executive he has led since 2019. He will work with the new team towards pulling off the biggest swim meet ever held on island, the 2027 CARIFTA Aquatics Championships. On Thursday, Hazell shared the report he will deliver to the SLAF membership this weekend.
“Serving as president over the years was a remarkable journey,” he said. “My stewardship was based primarily on good governance, operated within the confines of the constitution, and the model of best practices. I have always said that the job ahead was not about me, but the growth and development of an organisation and its young athletes.”
“If one must look back six years ago to date, it can clearly be seen from a distance, the change and growth of swimming in Saint Lucia. I am leaving the office with this organisation set in the direction of continued growth in all areas, the main being:
“The National Aquatic Centre – this is a milestone for the federation and its swimmers. The opportunities this brings for the sport of swimming will be endless. It will now be up to everyone to take full advantage.
“As we anxiously await the opening of our National Aquatic Centre and the realisation of this much-awaited facility by everyone, it is important that I remind everyone of the significant responsibilities that will be placed on this federation as it pertains to the operations of the facility. The development of swimming, the prudent handling of its operations and the business-like management approach of the facility now come hand in hand.”
Hazell spoke to successes in areas such as athlete development, strengthening policies and procedures, meet preparation, hosting of meets, and training of officials.
Saint Lucia hosted the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Championships in 2022 and 2023, and the Goodwill Championships in 2024. National teams competed at the Goodwill meet in Jamaica in 2023, FINA Junior Championships, FINA World Championships, the OECS meet, the Olympic Games, Central American and Caribbean Games, and Pan Am Aquatics. The federation has trained 25 coaches up to FINA Level 1 Assistant level, and provided training for deck officials and computer room officials.
“As your President, my mandate was and has always been about the development of swimmers and the development of the sport,” said Hazell. “The time I spent serving as your president was indeed an enjoyable one. To those who are aspiring to join this executive and to serve, please note that this is not a paid job. There are no perks attached. Your time, efforts, sacrifice, sincerity, and willingness to give at your expense, [are] all free.
“The only reward is gratification… the emotional feeling of being part of a child/athlete’s development and success is second to none. This is what it means to serve.
“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank everyone for the support given to me. My executive, for your tolerance, the various club executives, members, coaches, and swimmers of the Saint Lucia Aquatics Federation. I am truly grateful. It was an honour to serve you. My best wishes to the new executive, I look forward to working with you as your immediate past president as we continue this journey of growth.”
