An initiative that could see Saint Lucia host a franchise in the Limacol Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) has been launched. SHE CAN, a Caribbean-based women’s cricket trust fund spearheaded by entrepreneur Tarjia Julien, intends to build a player pipeline to add Saint Lucia as the fifth WCPL team in 2028, among other development objectives.
The one-to-two-year trust fund will provide year-round contracts—targeting female cricketers across the region—so players do not have to leave the sport after the WCPL concludes. SHE CAN is being seeded by founding investors from the men’s game, a Fan Pool Fund, and prominent figures like West Indies Women’s cricketers Deandra Dottin and Karishma Ramharack.
For many players, opportunities often diminish when a tournament ends, creating a gap between sporting achievement and long-term career development.
Julien, the fund’s founder, is a Saint Lucian entrepreneur, experienced strategic business leader, and regional system architect whose vision has helped expand access to financial services. She intends to create a pathway that will pay Caribbean female cricketers and contribute to significant grassroots development in the women’s game.
In an interview with St. Lucia Times, Julien indicated this initiative extends well beyond the field of play and will match talent with opportunity.
“It is about creating a sustainable pathway for Caribbean women and girls to move from talent to opportunity, from visibility to leadership,” she said.
“For decades, women’s cricket in the Caribbean produced exceptional talent, but the professional structures needed to support that talent were limited. The emergence of the Women’s Caribbean Premier League has demonstrated that women’s cricket can attract audiences, inspire communities, and become a powerful vehicle for social and economic transformation. SHE CAN is important because it seeks to strengthen and build the ecosystem around the player and the fans.”
According to Julien, the initiative aligns with a broader Caribbean movement that places women at the centre of regional development and ensures that opportunities created by sport translate into lifelong impact.
SHE CAN intends to break down the financial, educational, and social barriers that can limit the development of athletes. The trust is designed to bring together fans and players of all nationalities, corporations, educational institutions, community organisations, and regional partners to create a support network that nurtures talent beyond the cricket field.
Julien is enlisting assistance from the public, including corporate sponsors.
“There is a role for everyone,” she said. “Corporate partners can provide sponsorships, professional development opportunities, and support. Governments and institutions can support policy initiatives, facilities, and youth development programmes. Community organisations can help identify and nurture emerging talent. Mentors and professionals can volunteer their expertise to guide young women. Supporters and fans can attend matches, share stories, advocate for women’s cricket, and contribute to the movement. The true power of SHE CAN lies in collective action.”
The initiative will officially launch on January 27, 2027, establishing the SHE CAN Trust and governance framework. Fans can join starting at $25. The first 500 “founders” will be recognised at the WCPL Final.
