分类： sports

In a significant move to bolster cricket development at the grassroots level, the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) partnered with Cricket West Indies (CWI) to conduct an intensive Foundation Coaching Course this week. The program successfully trained over 40 physical education instructors and active cricketers in fundamental coaching methodologies.

The workshop featured extensive hands-on practical sessions directed by CWI Coaching Educators Brendon Ramlal and Keshava Ramphal. They were assisted by a team of local coaching experts, including John Eugene, Head Coach of the Saint Lucia Cricket High Performance Centre, alongside accomplished instructors Alton Crafton, Keith Charlery, Craig Emmanuel, and Donald Dave Albert.

Held on January 19th and 20th, the event attracted more than 30 physical education teachers on its inaugural day, followed by 17 players from the High Performance Centre on the subsequent day. Each day’s agenda included a five-hour interactive practical component from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., enabling attendees to implement skills acquired through prior online modules. This format fostered peer collaboration and provided opportunities for direct, personalized feedback from the leading educators.

The overarching objective of this initiative is to empower these newly certified coaches to return to their respective schools and local communities to introduce the sport’s fundamentals to young, aspiring athletes. This effort aligns with the SLNCA’s recent expansion of youth competitions, including the introduction of an Under-13 tournament last year and an announced plan by SLNCA President Wayne Auguste to establish an Under-10 cricket league, signaling a clear strategic focus on early-age participation.

“Cultivating quality players fundamentally starts with cultivating quality coaches,” stated Auguste. “This foundation course for physical education teachers represents a strategic investment in the very bedrock of our grassroots and school cricket ecosystem. By arming our educators with the proper tools, knowledge, and coaching frameworks, we are fortifying the foundation of our player development pathways. This ensures that young cricketers throughout Saint Lucia benefit from consistent, high-caliber instruction from their initial exposure to the sport. This initiative is a testament to SLNCA’s dedication to sustainable development and achieving long-term, high-performance success.”

This foundational course is a cornerstone of SLNCA’s broader strategic goals to certify a roster of credentialed coaches, solidify its performance pathways for regional and international team selection, and actively promote comprehensive player development across all tiers. Through investing in the training and up-skilling of educators, the association aims to establish a sustainable pipeline of talented coaches and athletes prepared to achieve excellence on local, regional, and global platforms.

Jamaica-based Saint Lucian athlete Denzel Phillips is revolutionizing perceptions of track and field excellence through his extraordinary throwing capabilities. The 19-year-old prodigy, who transitions from sprinting to becoming one of Saint Lucia’s most promising field athletes, has embarked on a record-breaking spree targeting both the CARIFTA Games and global junior competitions.

In a remarkable demonstration of skill, Phillips shattered a 32-year-old national discus record last December during the Tyser-Mills Classics in Spanish Town, Jamaica. On Saint Lucia’s National Day (December 13), he launched the 2kg discus to an impressive 48.79 meters, demolishing Ricky Deligny’s 1992 benchmark of 45.20m set at Barbados’ National Stadium. Astonishingly, this achievement marked Phillips’ inaugural attempt with the heavier implement typically reserved for senior competitions.

The bespectacled thrower maintained composed professionalism about his feat, revealing to St. Lucia Times: “I did expect the record. In training, I constantly throw way past that. I was actually a little disappointed I only came out with 48m.”

Phillips’ momentum continued into the new year with another record-breaking performance on January 17 at Kingston’s Ashenheim Stadium. During the World Class Development Meet, he surpassed his previous junior national best in the Under-20 shot put, hurling the 6kg metal ball 16.33m to claim top honors.

The athlete’s ascent began in 2023 when as an Under-17 competitor, he secured dual silver medals in throwing events at the CARIFTA Games in The Bahamas, becoming Saint Lucia’s first discus medalist. His excellence continued at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago, where he earned twin bronze medals—the first Saint Lucian to achieve multiple medals at the competition.

Despite finishing fourth in both events during the 2025 season, Phillips has refined his mentality for his final junior year. With the World Under-20 Championships scheduled for August 5-9 in Oregon, United States, his training intensity has reached new heights. “I want to make sure I get it perfect,” Phillips emphasized, “and make sure every training session counts.”

Currently preparing for the upcoming regional season, Phillips has set ambitious targets of 58 meters in discus and 18 meters in shot put for the CARIFTA Games in Grenada this April. His performances have begun attracting university recruitment attention, though the athlete prefers to keep his collegiate decisions private for now.

As Phillips continues to elevate Saint Lucia’s presence in field events, his journey represents both personal ambition and national pride, potentially inspiring a new generation of Caribbean throwers to pursue international excellence.

The northern community of Saint Lucia is set for a football revival as the 2026 Kenson Casimir Bay Bay Cup tournament launches with eight competing teams vying for both the championship title and a substantial $10,000 cash prize pool. The competition commences on January 25 at Francis Baba Lastic Grounds, marking a significant effort to strengthen grassroots football development and build a more competitive district team.

Officially unveiled on January 20 at the Gros Islet Human Resource Development Centre, the tournament’s launch ceremony saw the attendance of Member of Parliament and Minister of Education, Youth Development, Sports, and Digital Transformation Kenson Casimir, alongside sponsor representatives, players, coaches, and team administrators. The event featured Casimir ceremonially hoisting the championship cup, signaling the start of the anticipated competition.

Organized under the governance of the Gros Islet Football League, the Bay Bay Cup serves as crucial preparation for teams anticipating participation in the third edition of the Saint Lucia Semi-Professional Football League scheduled for June. The tournament field includes notable squads such as reigning national club champions GMC United, defending Bay Cup holders Northern United, warmup soccerama winners Monchy United, and Gros Islet Veterans—the latter featuring Trinidad & Tobago international and Saint Lucia men’s head coach Stern John.

Following the official draw conducted on January 20, Group A placements were awarded to GMC United, Dominators FC, Gros Islet Youth, and invitational team New Generation FC from Babonneau. Group B competitors include Northern United, Monchy United, Veterans, and Police teams.

Matches will be hosted across multiple venues including Francis Baba Lastic Grounds, Corinth Playing Field, and Grande Riviere Playing Field. Minister Casimir has additionally expressed intentions to prepare Monchy Playing Field as a fourth venue for the 2027 competition. Game schedules are set for Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, featuring double fixtures each evening.

The 2026 tournament enjoys sponsorship support from Scott’s Sports Shop and the National Lotteries Authority, ensuring enhanced resources for participating teams and elevated competition standards.

Afghanistan secured a commanding series victory against the West Indies in their T20 cricket encounter on January 21st at Dubai International Stadium. The hosts delivered a comprehensive performance, defeating the Caribbean side by 39 runs to claim an unassailable lead in the three-match series.

The match began with West Indies winning the toss and opting to field first. Afghanistan’s opening batsmen established a solid foundation during the powerplay, reaching 54-2. The innings gained tremendous momentum through a spectacular 115-run partnership between Darwish Rasooli and Sediqullah Atal. Atal, who received an early reprieve when dropped on 11, capitalized on the opportunity to score 53 runs. His partner Rasooli continued his excellent form, blasting 68 runs from just 39 deliveries to mark his second consecutive half-century. Afghanistan concluded their innings strongly at 189-4.

Despite the challenging total, Barbadian bowler Matthew Forde emerged as the most effective West Indies bowler, recording impressive figures of 2-25 from his allotted overs. However, the Caribbean team’s fielding performance proved substandard, with several missed opportunities undermining their bowling efforts.

In response, the West Indies batting lineup struggled to establish rhythm during the initial overs. A promising 68-run partnership between Brandon King and Shimron Hetmyer temporarily revived hopes of a successful chase. Afghanistan’s bowling attack, led by spin sensation Mujeeb Ur Rahman, dismantled the middle order with clinical precision. Rahman achieved a spectacular hat-trick during his spell, finishing with exceptional figures of 4-21 that effectively decided the contest. The defeat marks West Indies’ sixth consecutive loss at the Dubai venue, raising concerns about their performance in Asian conditions.

The teams will conclude the series with a final match where West Indies will seek to salvage pride while Afghanistan aims for a clean sweep.

The Windward Islands women’s cricket team endured their fourth consecutive defeat in the Cricket West Indies T20 Blaze tournament on January 19th, suffering a seven-wicket loss to Jamaica at Arnos Vale Sporting Complex in Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The hosts now sit at the bottom of the tournament table following their disappointing performance under the lights.

With regular captain and West Indies allrounder Zaida James absent, stand-in skipper Jannillea Glasgow won the toss and elected to bat first. The Windwards never found their rhythm with the bat, posting a modest 99-7 from their 20 overs—their highest total yet after scoring 89-5, 79 all out, and 86-8 in previous matches. Glasgow emerged as the lone batting standout with 47 runs off 37 deliveries, including six boundaries and one maximum. Earnisha Fontaine contributed 21 runs while Ashlene Edward added 11 to the total.

Jamaica’s chase encountered an early setback when opener Chedean Nation sustained an injury during the second over with 18 runs already on the board. Captain Rashada Williams (21) and Abigail Bryce (23) stabilized the innings with a composed partnership before experienced international star Stafanie Taylor sealed the victory with an unbeaten 28 off 32 deliveries. Jamaica reached their target of 100-3 in the 17th over, demonstrating clinical efficiency.

Adding insult to injury, former Windward Islands player Qiana Joseph was named Player of the Match for the Leeward Islands in their concurrent 31-run victory over Barbados. Joseph excelled with both bat and ball, scoring 27 off 17 deliveries (including three fours and two sixes) and claiming 2-10 with her slow left-arm bowling.

The Windwards will conclude their preliminary campaign against the undefeated Leeward Islands on Wednesday night, seeking to salvage pride in their final tournament appearance.