标签： Saint Lucia

At just 22 years old, Ackeem Auguste, a promising left-handed batsman from Saint Lucia, is making waves in international cricket. Despite having only a few senior international matches under his belt, Auguste has already showcased his potential with an impressive T20 International average of 41. He made his T20I debut in September against Nepal, a series the West Indies unfortunately lost. However, he quickly bounced back, scoring his first fifty in One Day Internationals against Bangladesh. Although the West Indies lost the ODI series, they dominated the T20I contests, sweeping all three matches. Auguste, an alumnus of St. Mary’s College, is the fourth West Indies men’s player from Saint Lucia and the 104th to represent the team in T20s. Reflecting on his journey, Auguste expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to transition from Under-19 to senior cricket, calling it an honor to represent the West Indies. His childhood dream of playing for the West Indies has now become a reality, and he is determined to make a lasting impact. Auguste’s rise has not gone unnoticed. Former West Indies Under-19 captain and current West Indies Academy coach Ramesh Subasinghe praised his relentless work ethic and mindset, predicting a bright future for the young cricketer. Similarly, Toby Radford, former director of the West Indies High Performance Centre, commended Auguste’s coachability and technical improvements, attributing his success to a combination of talent and hard work. Auguste’s recent confirmation to join the MI Emirates for the 2025 DP World ILT20 further underscores his growing reputation in the cricketing world. As he prepares to take on new challenges, Auguste remains focused on honing his skills and achieving greatness on the international stage.

The first term of school sports in St. Lucia is nearing its conclusion, with competitions wrapping up in team sports by the second week of November, well ahead of end-of-term exams. However, the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports (MYDS) is grappling with challenges in raising participation levels, coaching consistency, and overall standards. Despite these hurdles, school sports coordinator Isabel Alexander-Marquis expressed satisfaction with the term’s activities, particularly highlighting the smooth scheduling of basketball and netball tournaments at the Beausejour Indoor Facility, which remained unaffected by adverse weather conditions. Nevertheless, participation rates have been a persistent issue, with only about half of the island’s 24 secondary schools involved in netball and basketball. Football, on the other hand, has seen stronger engagement, with 19 teams in the Under-16 boys’ competition and 21 in the Under-19 boys’ tournament. Alexander-Marquis attributed the low participation to staffing gaps, including a lack of dedicated coaches and limited teacher availability. She also noted that some educators may lack confidence in coaching sports, while physical education teachers often juggle multiple responsibilities. Netball coordinator Shem Maxwell echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need for more schools to participate and for additional coaching support. Financial constraints and waning volunteerism have further exacerbated the staffing shortage, particularly with rising temperatures discouraging outdoor activities. Despite these challenges, both Maxwell and Alexander-Marquis observed improvements in the quality of play this year, with more competitive games and consistent progression from younger age groups to varsity levels. Alexander-Marquis urged schools to establish alumni organizations and seek support from graduates to enhance coaching, transportation, and nutrition, which could significantly boost the success of school-level and national sports programmes.

The Saint Lucia Cricket High Performance Centre (HPC) is emerging as a pivotal force in reshaping the nation’s cricketing landscape. Located at the Mindoo Phillip Park, the HPC is dedicated to cultivating local talent into world-class players. A recent two-day coaching workshop, held on October 31 and November 1 at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, marked a significant milestone in this transformative journey. The event brought together coaches from across Saint Lucia to enhance their skills in talent identification, high-performance planning, fast bowling, and injury management. This initiative aligns with the broader vision of Wayne Auguste, president of the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association, who aims to elevate the HPC’s standards to international levels. Auguste emphasized the importance of aligning the HPC’s programs with Cricket West Indies, ensuring that government investments yield tangible results. The workshop’s chief facilitator, Ramesh Subasinghe, a former Sri Lankan first-class cricketer and development specialist, highlighted the critical role of local coaches in nurturing future stars. Subasinghe pointed to Ackeem Auguste, a Saint Lucian batsman who recently excelled in international cricket, as a testament to the impact of advanced training. Craig Emmanuel, chairman of the HPC Board of Directors, expressed satisfaction with the workshop’s outcomes, noting its role in addressing coaching gaps and equipping coaches to guide young athletes toward professional success. The HPC’s efforts underscore cricket’s enduring significance as a pathway for Saint Lucian youth, with the potential to transform dreams into reality.