The professionalisation of football in Saint Lucia took another step on Wednesday, December 3, as more than 25 local administrators participated in the 2025 Concacaf Club Licensing Workshop. The session was hosted by the Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA) at its La Clery headquarters.
Facilitators included Leanne Lopez, Professional Football Administrator at Concacaf, and Amara Felix Toussaint, the Trinidad & Tobago Football Association’s Club Licensing Manager.
Participants were drawn largely from the SLFA’s 19 member leagues, ensuring that clubs competing in the Saint Lucia Semi-Professional Football League meet international compliance standards. Key areas of focus included aligning player registration and transfers with global best practices, strengthening the framework for sustainable growth in the local game.
“The decisions and the programmes that are made regionally and internationally in relation to football affect all of us in the region,” said SLFA president Lyndon Cooper. “And as has been said repeatedly, small countries like ours, if they don’t set the right parameters, will be left behind.
“For us to compete both regionally and internationally, the club license regulations are a must in order for us to enhance the sport of football in this country. It might be a tedious task, but the stark reality is that the options are limited.
“However, we must accept and implement the club licensing regulations if you want to compete regionally. Hence, I’m requesting from all our clubs that this must be done. If it is not done, you will just find yourself outside the parameters of polarised football. And if you are not licensed, you will have to find another sport to engage in.
“We have to commence this union that this journey has to offer, and today’s workshop is the beginning of that process.”
Cooper revealed that a “first instance” club licensing board would be put in place, which will work hand in glove with the SLFA appeals committee to ensure transparency and fairness in the award and regulation of professional club licences.
He said the workshop was intended to teach participants that the same regulations govern the SLFA and its constituent leagues, and that all affiliates must be able to compete on a level playing field, irrespective of their size and resources.
In brief opening remarks, Lopez indicated that her presence at the workshop was to discuss club licensing and review the latest club regulations as they’ve been updated over the past year. She expressed thanks on behalf of Concacaf President Victor Montagliani and General Secretary Philippe Moggio, while indicating it’s very important to them that Saint Lucia continues to advance football.
“We believe there is so much talent and so much development to be harnessed and fostered,” Lopez said. “Club licensing is just one of those avenues that will be able to push the agenda of professionalisation of football forward, and we’re really looking forward to all of the discussions and presentations.”
Cooper further reminded participants that timing is everything and that the international football calendar includes deadlines for player registration and transfers that clubs must adhere to if they wish to compete at the highest level.
