分类： sports

The NetBlazers Basketball Club has taken a significant step in advancing basketball development across Saint Lucia with its recent two-day coaching clinic. Held at the Vigie Sports Complex on October 11 and 12, the event provided coaches with a free opportunity to enhance their skills through hands-on training and tactical insights. The clinic was led by Gaelen Sydney, a seasoned basketball coach from Titan Athletics in Toronto, Canada, who has a strong background in collegiate basketball in the United States. Sydney, returning to Saint Lucia for the second time in three months, emphasized the importance of certifying coaches to improve youth engagement and elevate the sport’s standards. In an exclusive interview with St. Lucia Times, Sydney shared his vision of creating robust basketball programs that not only develop players but also foster a competitive environment across the Caribbean. Coaches, including Hillian Gabriel from Micoud Secondary School and Ansel Edole of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force Basketball Team, praised the clinic for its innovative approach and practical lessons. Gabriel highlighted the shift from traditional drills to more engaging, game-based methods, while Edole noted the eye-opening experience and new fundamentals he plans to implement. Garrick George, a coach with NetBlazers and Entrepot Secondary School, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of making training sessions enjoyable for young players. Organizers believe this event marks the beginning of a collaborative effort among coaches to elevate basketball culture on the island to new heights.

The 13th Annual CapriSun Swim Meet, held at the Rodney Heights Aquatic Centre, witnessed an intense showdown between the island’s top swimming clubs, with Seajays emerging as the champions after two days of thrilling competition. Over 190 swimmers from six clubs participated in the national championships and Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Trials, showcasing their skills under brilliant sunshine. Seajays secured victory with a total of 1,284 points, narrowly edging out their closest rivals, Sharks, who scored 1,219 points. The triumph was largely driven by the exceptional performance of Seajays’ boys’ team, which amassed 867 points, 292 points ahead of Sharks. However, Sharks dominated the girls’ category with 644 points compared to Seajays’ 417. Lightning Aquatics claimed third place overall, while Southern Flying Fish, RR Aquatic, and RHAC Swim Club also competed fiercely. CARIFTA Aquatics medallist Sapphire Parks shone brightly, winning seven gold medals in the 11-12 category, including the 50m, 100m, 200m, and 400m freestyle, as well as the 50m and 100m butterfly, and the 200m individual medley. Kenya Andrew also made significant contributions, securing gold in multiple events for the Under-9 category. Miles Andrew led the charge for Seajays’ boys, sweeping nine gold medals in the 9-10 rankings. Nathan Lewis and Noah Dorville further solidified Seajays’ dominance with their stellar performances in the 11-12 and 13-14 boys’ categories, respectively. The event concluded with heartfelt gratitude from Seajays’ president Denise Parks and head coach Brian Charles, who praised the swimmers’ dedication and teamwork. The club also extended thanks to CapriSun, the Saint Lucia Aquatics Federation, sponsors, volunteers, officials, and parents for their unwavering support in making the meet a resounding success.

In a remarkable display of philanthropy and sportsmanship, Olympic champion Julien Alfred’s custom PUMA Nitro sprint spikes were auctioned for $75,000 at a fundraising event hosted by BodyHoliday. The event, titled ‘Power and Grace: An Evening in Honour of Julien Alfred,’ raised over $100,000 on October 11 to support the development of the next generation of Saint Lucian athletes. The winning bidder, American basketball coach and businessman Kevin Graves, now owns a piece of sporting history while contributing to a noble cause. Graves, who mentors NBA star Bam Adebayo, emphasized the importance of supporting charitable organizations like the Alfred Foundation. The spikes, molded to Alfred’s feet and mounted on a rubberized track featuring Saint Lucia’s area code, started bidding at $1,500. Other auctioned items included Alfred’s PUMA jersey and bib from Tokyo 2025, which fetched $1,900 from former basketball player and political candidate Marcellus Bax Stiede. The event also saw significant donations, including $25,000 from an anonymous donor, $5,000 from the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, $10,000 from Sunswept Resorts/BodyHoliday CEO Andrew Barnard, and $5,000 from Bay Gardens. The Daren Sammy Foundation contributed EC$10,000, with a video message from the West Indies head coach expressing support for Alfred. The evening featured an intimate interview with Alfred, who shared her ambitions to break the World Record in the 60m event and compete for gold at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Entertainment was provided by soca stars Sly and Shemmy J, accompanied by a gourmet three-course meal.

In a groundbreaking development this week, three distinguished Saint Lucians have been appointed to key standing committees of FIFA, the global governing body for football, for the 2025-2029 term. This historic decision was finalized during the FIFA Council Meeting held on October 2 in Zurich, Switzerland, following extensive consultations with FIFA member associations and regional confederations. The appointments mark a significant recognition of Saint Lucia’s contributions to the sport on both local and global stages. Lyndon Cooper, President of the Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA), has been named Deputy Chair of the FIFA Development Committee. Examin Philbert, President of the Vieux Fort Football League, has secured a seat on the FIFA Women’s National Team Competitions Committee, while Dr. Natasha Innocent has been appointed to the FIFA Medical Committee. Cooper, who also serves as President of the Caribbean Football Union, emphasized the significance of these appointments, stating, ‘This recognition at the highest level of football underscores the progress we are making in developing the sport locally and regionally.’ FIFA has expressed its satisfaction with the appointments, acknowledging the ongoing commitment of Saint Lucians to advancing football globally. The standing committees, which report directly to the FIFA Council, play a crucial role in advising and assisting the Council in their respective areas of expertise. FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlighted the broader implications of these appointments, noting, ‘The new Standing Committees will enhance the involvement of member associations, increase female representation, and bring focused technical expertise to various aspects of football, ensuring FIFA is better prepared for future challenges.’

Despite recent struggles on and off the field, Cricket West Indies CEO Chris Dehring has outlined an ambitious plan to revitalize Caribbean cricket through sports tourism. Speaking at the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) 2025 in Barbados, Dehring addressed the financial challenges and opportunities facing the region’s beloved sport. Recent setbacks, including a revised 2026 cricket calendar and poor international performances, have raised concerns about the future of West Indies cricket. However, Dehring remains optimistic, citing the enduring passion of Caribbean fans as a foundation for recovery. He emphasized the importance of leveraging sports tourism to attract global attention and investment. Key initiatives include the development of a 20-acre world-class facility in Antigua, featuring a cricket ground, high-performance center, and a transformed “Sticky Wicket” restaurant into an elite cricket academy and museum. Dehring also called on the Caribbean corporate community to invest in cricket, highlighting the sport’s potential to benefit the entire region. With the global sports tourism market projected to reach USD 645.76 billion by 2025, this strategy could provide a much-needed financial boost to West Indies cricket.