Saint Lucia’s local cricket fraternity is mourning the loss of one of its own. Junior Derose, a coach at the Saint Lucia Cricket High Performance Centre, tragically lost his life in a vehicular accident in Dennery over the weekend.
Earlier this year, Derose was one of three Saint Lucian coaches who completed a cutting-edge biomechanics course at the KRCA Academy in Trinidad and Tobago. A Cricket West Indies Level 2 qualified coach, he was manager and assistant coach for the Under-15 national team.
Derose served with distinction, known for his passionate work at the grassroots level of the game. Since news of this untimely loss spread, reflective tributes have been pouring in across social media platforms.
Wayne Auguste, president of the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association, memorialised Derose as “dedicated” and “selfless” in his service.
“His energy, commitment, and love for the game inspired everyone he coached and worked alongside,” Auguste noted.
Parliamentary Representative for Micoud North Jeremiah Norbert remembered his friend saying, “[He was] a kind, cool, humble, and easy-going person who I’ve spent a lot of time with in our constituency.
“I admired his passion, dedication, and his humility. I admired how he went about his work with a great sense of love for the cricketers and a burning desire to see them achieve their best,” he added.
The official Saint Lucia Premier League T20 social media pages noted that Derose’s “commitment to developing players and uplifting Saint Lucian cricket will always be remembered and appreciated.” The coach had rendered his services to the Vieux Fort North Raiders and Mon Repos Pioneers during league campaigns.
West Indies Head Coach Daren Sammy simply added: “RIP Coach Jr. Your passion for the game will live on.”
This end to a life of service has left a gaping hole in Saint Lucia’s cricketing and sporting landscape.
