The relationship between a coach and an athlete is one of the most important connections in all of sport. For former Under-15 cricket coach Bryan Calixte, his connection with the late Sharm Pierre was particularly special. Pierre, who captained Saint Lucia’s first-ever Under-15 cricket team, died recently after a brief illness. Calixte, who led that historic team as head coach, shared his memories of the late top-order batsman with the St. Lucia Times.
“There are moments in a coach’s life that define why we dedicate ourselves to this beautiful game. For me, one of those defining eras was leading Saint Lucia’s very first Under-15 cricket team,” he said. “At the absolute centre of that historic milestone stood our captain, Sharm Pierre. Hearing of his passing after a brief illness at just 45 years old has brought a profound wave of sadness, but also an overwhelming flood of proud memories.
“When we first assembled that ground-breaking squad, we weren’t just preparing for a tournament; we were trying to prove that Saint Lucia belonged on the regional stage. To do that, we needed more than just talented athletes; we needed a leader who could carry the weight of an island’s expectations on young shoulders. Sharm was that leader.”
While Calixte highlighted Pierre’s talent as a player, he emphasised that it was his intangible qualities and leadership that truly made him special.
“As a player, Sharm was pure class. He was an elegant, technically gifted top-order batsman who played the game with a maturity far beyond his years. When he went out to the middle, his composure gave the entire dressing room a sense of security.
“But it was his captaincy that truly set him apart and etched his name permanently into our cricketing history. Sharm became the first-ever Saint Lucian to captain both the Saint Lucia and the Windward Islands Under-15 teams. As his coach, watching him command the respect of his peers was a masterclass in quiet authority. He wasn’t loud or boastful; he was a calm, down-to-earth gentleman who led by example.”
Pierre led a squad of individuals who would go on to become household names in Caribbean and international cricket. Among those under his leadership for Saint Lucia were two-time T20 World Cup–winning captain and current West Indies men’s head coach Daren Sammy, as well as former West Indies player and current Saint Lucia national team coach Garey Mathurin. When Pierre captained the Windward Islands Under-15 team, he also led future West Indies opening batsman Devon Smith.
“Even then, surrounded by future icons, Sharm was the anchor,” Calixte said. “He managed those big personalities with total grace, earning the fierce loyalty of his teammates and the deep admiration of every parent in the stands. He proved to the entire region that Saint Lucia could produce not just world-class cricketers, but world-class leaders.”
Summing up Pierre’s legacy, his former coach offered a final tribute:
“Thank you, Sharm, for your service, your brilliant leadership, and for making my time as your coach an absolute honour. Rest in eternal peace, Captain.”
