La Clery and Vieux Fort South walked off with the lion’s share of the trophies when the Saint Lucia Football Association Inc. held its annual National Awards Ceremony at the Bay Gardens Hotel in Gros Islet on Saturday night.
Gathered under the theme, ‘Taking Football To Higher Heights’, the gala was a testament to the achievements of players, coaches, and administrators over the past 12 months.
Unsurprisingly, La Clery captured Team of the Year honours after a dominant Saint Lucia Semi-Professional League campaign and a hard-fought showing in the Caribbean Football Union Club Shield. They also finished second in the inaugural Blackheart Under-20 tournament.
The main man on the sidelines for La Clery is former national captain Zaine Pierre, who was deservedly named Coach of the Year. Translating his playing days into touchline acumen, Pierre has earned a Concacaf B Licence and built a disciplined, free-flowing side capable of dominating locally and competing regionally.
Between the uprights for the men from north Castries is Devone St Prix, who took home the gong for Male Footballer of the Year, solidifying his status as the undisputed top shot-stopper in domestic football.
Meanwhile, Blackheart Under-20 champions and SPFL runners-up Vieux Fort South (VFS) were rewarded for their continued growth. They took home the Football League of the Year title.
Examin Philbert was also named League Administrator of the Year. Having taken the helm under tragic circumstances, Philbert mobilised players, fans, and crucial corporate backing through the Jannou Credit Union, running vibrant youth tournaments and keeping VFS competitive across every single national youth and senior division.
Aside from St Prix, prestigious individual awards went to Racquel John, Shaquil Martelly, and Kayla Polius. National women’s captain John was named Female Footballer of the Year. GMC United and Gros Islet striker Martelly took Junior Male Footballer of the Year for his Under-16 exploits. And Polius, who scored three consecutive hat-tricks last year at the CFU Under-14 Championship, was Junior Female Footballer of the Year.
FIFA referee Renlee Napoleon received the Football Referee of the Year award. Dara Wilson got the Staff Appreciation Award.
