The Saint Lucia Football Association Inc. has been running its Under-12 Boys’ Championship since 2024, and in those three years, Mabouya Valley are yet to lose a game. They won outright the last two years, after being undone by Canaries on penalties in 2024, a result that has reportedly been overturned due to a disqualification.
The man driving the success of the lads from the east coast is properly known as Lorenzo Damase, but he is better known as Coach Flo. “Most people think it’s Flow,” he told St Lucia Times, before going on to reveal that as a youngster, he was much taken with then Chelsea and Norway striker Tore André Flo.
An emotionally spent Flo exhorted his charges the entire game. Then, in the post-match huddle, he reminded them of the long hours of training that had paid off with a third straight trophy. He explained that the newcomers owed it to their predecessors.
“Emotion will come because we work hard for it, training morning, noon, and night,” he told St Lucia Times. “Because I keep on telling them that last year we won that competition, this year we need to defend our trophy because the past players are there watching us, and we need to show them that we could follow their footsteps.
“I usually close the field into space with the width and the length, so I have them play two-touch football and move around and communicate with each other. So when it comes to the nine-a-side, then they’re going to be more flexible in being aware of their surroundings and when to do the pass and when to hold it.”
The system and passion for community are central, but youth football is challenging, as seasoned players inevitably age out, leading to a lack of continuity. Turnover notwithstanding, Flo has maintained his high standards. This year, he leaned on ace midfielder Zackim Francois and back-to-back best defender, Zaed Willie
“I manage them, I draft them in every year so they could gel with the other players,” said Flo. Zackim, he’s the senior player from last year, so he was there motivating them and giving them speeches and telling them how it is.
“I can’t say nothing but “li fot” for me. Li fot means you’re not going to give up. You must love the football for the football to love you. My players, they love the football. But another key part of it, the first nine players, all of them go to the same primary school [Richfond Combined].”
Flo, who is originally from Grand Riviere, holds a FIFA D License, and whereas he told St Lucia Times he wants to further his coaching education, he also insisted that nothing could make him happier than blossoming where he has been planted.
“From way back, I just love the game, and I believed that I wanted to be a coach,” he shared. “My philosophy is getting to the youth. I love coaching youth. People would tell me, “Why you not take a senior team? Why not take the Under-20 team?” No, my job is to work with youth and then draft them to help them climb the ladder.”
Last year, Flo coached Keevan Louisy, whom Francois succeeded as U12 MVP and leading goal-scorer. But he has played a role in developing senior national players like Canius and Brandon Sandiford, and he is looking forward to seeing lads like Loisy and Francois become international players as well.
