The community of La Clery recognised its own on Saturday evening when the third La Clery Legends Award Ceremony was held at the Vide Boutielle Cultural Club. The ceremony brought together well-wishers and awardees to remember and celebrate the legacies of the community’s veterans and unsung heroes.
Most of the honorees were former players from La Clery’s rich football history. The ceremony also recognised the administrators who helped shape La Clery into a sporting powerhouse. Veterans from the 1960s to the 1990s wore ceremonial blazers to mark their new status as community legends.
The highlight of the night was the Lifetime Achievement Award, given to former basketball power forward Hilarion “Big Dean” Alfred, who was also officially enshrined as a La Clery Legend.
The keynote speaker was retired educator and long-serving public servant John Sealy. A stalwart of the community, Sealy has made significant contributions to education, communications, and football development in Saint Lucia.
“The community has produced outstanding individuals not just in the area of sports, but also in academia, arts, and the technical fields” he said.
Parliamentary Representative for Castries North, Stephenson King, congratulated his constituents on their achievements while also issuing a challenge for the future:
“I want to thank and congratulate the Legends, La Clery Legends, for having taken up the mantle and the leadership in organising such an event to honour those persons who have made such an immaculate contribution to their community …,” he said.
“I would hope the Legends can undertake a project of having a programme for aspiring legends, young men particularly, and young women, to be able to see you as their mentors. And let me commend you on the programme during the week where you had this mentorship event. But really and truly, to have a sustained programme of trying to attract young people to see themselves as you who have given so much to your community, the many of you who have spoken.”
Awardees of the Night
1960s Legends
Joseph Napoleon
Julian Phillips
Collistus Charles
1970s Legends
Charles Sayers
Keith “Baby” Cadette
Franklin Maitland
1980s Legends
Clancy “Knees” Alexander
Clinton “Big Bull” Charles
Stanley Best
1990s Legends
Emile “Mel” Eugene
Winston “Kilo” Regis
Hilarion “Big Dean” Alfred
