The cricketing community in Saint Lucia is grappling with the tragic loss of Junior Derose, a revered coach at the Saint Lucia Cricket High Performance Centre, who died in a vehicular accident in Dennery over the weekend. Derose, a Cricket West Indies Level 2 qualified coach, was instrumental in shaping the future of cricket on the island. Earlier this year, he was among three Saint Lucian coaches who completed an advanced biomechanics course at the KRCA Academy in Trinidad and Tobago. He also served as the manager and assistant coach for the Under-15 national team. Known for his unwavering dedication and passion for grassroots cricket, Derose’s untimely demise has elicited an outpouring of heartfelt tributes on social media. Wayne Auguste, president of the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association, praised Derose as a “dedicated” and “selfless” individual whose energy and love for the game inspired all who worked with him. Parliamentary Representative for Dennery North Jeremiah Norbert remembered Derose as a “kind, cool, humble, and easy-going person” who was deeply committed to nurturing young cricketers. The Saint Lucia Premier League T20 social media pages also honored Derose, acknowledging his significant contributions to developing players and elevating Saint Lucian cricket. West Indies Head Coach Daren Sammy paid tribute, stating, “RIP Coach Jr. Your passion for the game will live on.” Derose’s passing has left a profound void in Saint Lucia’s cricketing and sporting community, marking the end of a life devoted to service and excellence.