Michael “Yatar” Cazaubon died in 2011, after suffering an aneurysm at the age of 42, but left behind a lasting legacy, and in recent weeks, he was commemorated with the launch of the Michael Yatar Cazaubon Sports Foundation, which aims to inspire and uplift the young people of Soufrière.
A former footballer, cricketer and volleyballer, Cazaubon was one of the founding members of the Soufriere Youth and Sports Council. He was also the manager and coach of his club, Soufriere Youth Organization (SYO).
Founded by youth and community activist Johnson “Chalo” Simon, the foundation aims to inspire and transform youth through comprehensive grassroots training, mentorship, and structured coaching development programmes. The foundation seeks to carry forward Cazaubon’s dream of empowering young people through sports, providing them with opportunities to excel on and off the field. Through the foundation, community groups, sporting clubs, schools, and corporate organisations will be able to access equipment and supporting structures upon registration.
Simon and his wife, Stella, kicked things off with approximately EC$50,000 worth of sporting equipment. They own and operate Simon’s Electronics in Los Angeles. Working with member of parliament for Soufrière/Fond St Jacques Emma Hippolyte; businessman Sam Augier; the Soufrière Regional Development Foundation (SRDF); and the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF), the Simons shipped hundreds of footballs, coaching books, bibs, kit, goals, yoga mats, gloves, stopwatches, cones, ball pumps, football boots, nets, medals, and water bottles.
As the school year starts, District 8 – encompassing Soufrière, Fond St Jacques, and Canaries – will be aiming for a third straight lien on the Inter-District Track & Field title. The revival of athletics on the west coast over the past four years has been a remarkable story. The community that produced the likes of Helena Renee, Nehemiah St Jean, Jinell Vite, and Nessa Paul is quickly coming back to the fore with the Cazaubon Foundation supporting that journey.
The Simon family shared that the equipment was shipped just days before wildfires devastated their Altadena, California home in January, resulting in the loss of two family residences. But they returned to Saint Lucia determined to fulfill their promise to Soufrière and to Cazaubon’s memory.
“It took us 14 years, but we are finally here,” said Simon.
“This foundation is not only a tribute to a man we loved and admired, but a promise to our youth that their dreams matter. Yatar’s memory will live on – not just in stories, but in every game played, every skill learned, and every life transformed.”
