The Saint Lucia Football Association’s Under-12 Football Competition has received high praise from local coaches.
The competition, which kicked off its second phase on January 18, features primary school participants from 10 districts competing for footballing glory in nine-a-side matches. However, a more significant aspect being highlighted by officials is the holistic development of these young athletes.
Charde Desir, a well-known figure in the local football community and manager of the Gros Islet U12 team, told St Lucia Times the competition provides a rare opportunity for these young athletes to feature for extended periods on the field, which is key to their growth as players.
“In terms of development, I believe a tournament like this ensures that [the players get] playing time, which is very scarce. The year before, they never played anything. I believe that the SLFA is moving in the right direction for youth development and youth football,” he noted.
Desir’s sentiments were echoed by coaches of the Desruisseaux and Canaries teams, Xavier Bideau and Bradley Tisson, respectively.
“I would say it’s a good level for everybody, but I think they should involve girls in that as well. This is a grassroots school programme. You should have girls. You cannot get a national Under-14 team, and the girls are not playing football. So I believe they should have girls in,” said Bideau.
Tisson, the physical education teacher at Canaries Primary School, added: “I know these boys from the time they enter, from Grade K. The tournament, I must say, it is a very big plus because it enables us as a country to see our Under-12 footballers.”
An often overlooked element of tournaments like these is the social development aspect. The interviewees emphasised the importance of initiatives like these for positive reinforcement, particularly for young males.
Desir contended that football is a vital grassroots tool for teaching discipline, teamwork, community, and unity. He pointed out that most young people who lose their lives—about 90 per cent—are not involved in football or any structured sports or youth programmes.
“….And that is why they move towards gang-related activities because there’s nothing else to do on the block. I mean, you’re in a safe area and there’s nothing else that grabs your attention. You go towards what grabs your attention and that is why Gros Islet ensures we have youth football around the year,” he said.
Desir explained that this activity aims to steer these young people away from negative influences.
“We try to ensure these players stay engaged in the effort to distract them from joining any Sixx and Seven [gangs] and they know our stance on this kind of gang-related activity. So you will not even mention that at this level, but it starts at that level. I have seen students below their age talking about Sixx and Seven. This is because they are influenced by the fellas on the block.
“So football as a tool for social development must be a mantra, and people must invest. Corporate society must invest; the government must invest in youth development activities such as football and other clubs,” Desir said.
