标签： Saint Lucia

A 43-member rugby delegation from Saint Lucia is poised for international competition at the prestigious French West Indies Sevens Trophy in Guadeloupe this weekend. The Saint Lucia Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) will field competitive teams across three categories—men’s, women’s, and junior divisions—marking a significant representation for the nation.

The tournament, organized by the Goodluck Rugby Club at Bas-du-Fort pitch in Gosier, will feature nine teams per division including representatives from Martinique, St Martin, and Suriname. The women’s squad, competing in Pool A, will vie for the Monique Ribeaut Shield while the men’s team challenges for the Tristan Chauvel Trophy. The sporting event will culminate in traditional carnival celebrations.

Technical Director Wayne Pantor expressed profound confidence in the contingent: “This tournament offers an exceptional platform for our athletes to acquire international experience against elite competition. We anticipate our teams will demonstrate the core values of Saint Lucian rugby—passion, pride, and perseverance.”

The roster comprises both SLRFU Academy prospects and diaspora athletes from Canada and the United States. Extensive preparation has been undertaken through rigorous training regimens and practice matches to refine tactical execution and technical proficiency.

Official statements acknowledged crucial support from sponsors and the Saint Lucian community, emphasizing the team’s commitment to competing with utmost integrity and sportsmanship throughout the championship journey.

The Saint Lucia Yacht Club (SLYC), the island’s longest-running active sporting institution with over six decades of maritime heritage, has undergone a significant leadership transition following its Annual General Meeting on January 25. Josh De Freitas, previously serving as secretary, has been elected as the new Commodore, succeeding Peter Lang who held the position since 2018.

The organizational restructuring extends throughout the executive team, with Timothy Moffat retaining his role as vice-commodore while other key positions see fresh appointments. Fredric Sweeney, an accomplished sailor and coaching professional, assumes the responsibilities of rear commodore. The financial stewardship transitions to Joel Wallace as treasurer, while Zandra Perreira steps into the secretary role previously occupied by De Freitas.

In official communications, De Freitas expressed profound gratitude to outgoing leader Lang, acknowledging his transformative tenure that substantially strengthened the club’s operational framework, expanded membership base, and enhanced its standing within Saint Lucia’s sailing community. The transition statement highlighted Lang’s ‘dedicated service, leadership, and significant contributions to the club’s success.’

The SLYC continues to serve as a hub for maritime activities, offering regular squash training and competitions alongside weekly sailing instruction at its Rodney Bay facility. The club maintains its competitive calendar with the annual November Mango Bowl Regatta and participates in regional sailing events including Martinique’s Schoelcher Nautical Week.

Augier House emerged victorious at the Choiseul Secondary School’s 2026 track and field championships, dethroning defending champions Jean House through an outstanding performance led by double CARIFTA champion Jady Emmanuel.

Emmanuel, who previously secured gold medals in the Under-17 girls’ 100m and 200m at the 2025 CARIFTA Games, demonstrated exceptional versatility by capturing four gold medals in Division 2 competitions. The star athlete dominated the 100m with a time of 12.30 seconds, claimed the 200m title in 26.70 seconds, and added gold medals in both long jump and javelin throw events.

Augier’s comprehensive team performance accumulated 1,024 points, significantly outpacing Jean House who finished second with 816 points. King House secured third position with 637 points, while Darcheville House placed fourth with 506 points.

The championship witnessed several standout performances across divisions. Shawn Stephen contributed significantly to Augier’s victory in Division 3, winning gold in the 200m (25.10) and 400m (58.50), while earning silver in discus throw and bronze in long jump.

Jean House showcased promising talent despite their second-place finish. Jeaneil William captured the boys’ 100m (11.3) and 200m (24.0) titles in Division 2, adding a silver medal in long jump. Kianna Jean dominated Division 2 girls’ events with victories in 100m (13.30), 200m (28.0), and long jump.

In Division 4 competitions, Cristiano Nestor and Merkisha St Catherine both claimed titles for Jean House. Nestor won long jump and ball throw with additional silver in shot put, while St Catherine achieved triple gold in 80m (11.30), 150m (21.20), and shot put, plus silver in ball throw.

The championships also featured impressive performances from Oryan Montoute of Jean House who won Division 4 boys’ 80m (10.60) and 150m (20.0), while Jeremiah Savery secured the 300m (49.20) for Augier, and Kershan Norlay claimed the 600m (1:58.20) for King House.

In a dramatic evening of football at the Grande Riviere Playing Field, defending national club champions GMC United and Bay Bay Cup holders Northern United FC both registered their first tournament victories on Wednesday, February 4th.

GMC United, fielding a significantly transformed lineup since their 2025 championship win, dominated their local rivals Dominators FC with a commanding 4-0 victory in the Grande Riviere derby. After a scoreless first half marked by physical play, the match exploded in the 53rd minute when Mekhi Stanislaus broke the deadlock. The momentum continued just sixty seconds later as Under-16 striker Shaquil Martelly—the smallest player on the pitch—delivered an spectacular long-range strike that electrified the crowd. Tonius Simon sealed the comprehensive win with two additional goals within a five-minute span.

Head coach Daren Gaspard acknowledged the challenging first half: “We started a bit slow in the first half, [and] Dominators were a bit physical, due respect to them, we played on their home ground.” He credited the team’s second-half transformation to tactical adjustments made during halftime: “We went in with a plan for the second half, and we executed properly. You could see the changes had an impact on the game.”

The victory carries emotional significance for GMC United, who have persevered through the tragic losses of players Sherman Augustin and Ajani Lebourne in 2025, along with several transfers that necessitated relying on younger talent like Martelly and goalkeeper Jahim Henry. New acquisitions including Trevon St Prix have provided much-needed stability as the team prepares for a crucial Sunday showdown against group leaders New Generation FC.

Meanwhile, Northern United FC kept their semifinal hopes alive with an emphatic 7-1 rout of Gros Islet Veterans. The team established a formidable 4-0 halftime advantage through a brace from Lyndon Constantine complemented by goals from Devonte Herman and Nicholas Lawrence. Although veteran international striker Earl ‘Ball Hog’ Jean converted a penalty for the Vets after the break, Northern United responded with three additional goals from Kenrick Antoine, Thierry Morille, and Samiel Louisien to secure second place in Group B on goal difference.

The tournament continues on Sunday, February 8th at Francis Baba Lastic Grounds with critical matchups featuring Northern United against Police at 5pm, followed by the highly anticipated clash between GMC United and New Generation FC at 7pm.

West Indies cricketer Shimron Hetmyer is scheduled to reunite with his national squad in India on Thursday, February 5th, following the resolution of significant visa complications that threatened his participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The 29-year-old Guyanese batsman’s arrival comes just two days before the team’s opening match against Scotland.

The travel disruption originated from Hetmyer’s use of a newly issued Guyanese passport during the recent South African T20I series. According to renowned international commentator Dr. Joseph Reds Perreira, who spoke exclusively with St. Lucia Times, the batsman traveled to South Africa without carrying his previous passport containing the essential Indian visa. Since Guyanese citizens enjoy visa-free entry to South Africa, the omission went unnoticed until his scheduled departure to India.

Perreira revealed that high-ranking West Indies Cricket Board officials expected the matter to be resolved imminently, with Hetmyer projected to depart South Africa within hours and reach India by Thursday afternoon Eastern Caribbean time.

This incident echoes previous travel challenges for the talented left-hander, who ranks fourth in run accumulation (1,345 runs) among current squad members. In 2022, Hetmyer faced exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad after missing two rescheduled flights to Australia due to personal reasons.

His potential absence would have represented a substantial setback for the Men in Maroon, given his impressive recent form. Hetmyer has compiled 233 runs this year at an average of 46.60, including a remarkable 171 runs across just three innings against South Africa.

While acknowledging Hetmyer’s personal responsibility, Perreira suggested broader accountability within team management. He questioned whether team manager Rawl Lewis had adequately communicated the specific documentation requirements before players departed their Caribbean homes.

The visa issue caused Hetmyer to miss Wednesday’s warmup encounter against Afghanistan as well as the official ICC tournament photoshoot, though his anticipated timely arrival preserves West Indies’ batting strength for their crucial opening fixture.

Montego Bay United, the current frontrunners in Jamaica’s top-tier football competition, have secured the signing of promising Saint Lucian winger Kegan Caull for the remainder of the 2025-2026 Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League season. The 21-year-old talent makes his Caribbean return after several years in European football, transferring permanently from England’s Isthmian League Premier Division side Hashtag United.

The move marks a significant homecoming for Caull, who last played in the Caribbean region in 2021 before embarking on his European career that included spells with Gibraltar’s Europa Point FC and Slovenian club NK Tolmin. The young attacker brings an impressive pedigree having previously spearheaded Saint Lucia’s national youth teams to victory in prestigious tournaments including the 2018 Caribbean Football Union Boys’ Under-14 Challenge Series and the 2019 Concacaf Boys’ Under-15 Championship.

Caull’s arrival comes at a crucial juncture for Montego Bay United as they push for their first league title since the 2015-2016 season. The club currently dominates the JPL standings with 45 points from 21 matches, boasting a league-best offensive record of 40 goals scored despite defensive vulnerabilities that place them sixth in goals conceded.

The signing potentially signals broader recruitment strategy focused on Saint Lucian talent. Jamaican media reports indicate Montego Bay United may be pursuing additional experienced internationals from Saint Lucia, including defender Melvin Doxilly and goalkeeper Vino Barclett, both currently training with the squad while under contract elsewhere. This approach follows the club’s previous engagement with Saint Lucian midfielder Gregson President in 2024.

For Caull, who turns 22 in March, this transfer represents an opportunity to revitalize his professional career and potentially earn recall to Saint Lucia’s senior national team setup after his European journey yielded limited first-team opportunities at his most recent club.

In a landmark development for Caribbean football governance, Saint Lucia Football Association President Lyndon Cooper has achieved an unprecedented electoral victory by securing the position of CONCACAF Vice President for the Caribbean region. This historic appointment marks the second consecutive year that Cooper has broken new ground in international football administration, following his groundbreaking election as Caribbean Football Union president in 2023.

The election occurred during CONCACAF’s 41st Ordinary Congress in Managua, Nicaragua, where Cooper assumed his new role without opposition. The congress convened the confederation’s senior leadership alongside delegates from all 41 member associations, creating a significant gathering of football’s power brokers in North and Central America and the Caribbean.

The event simultaneously celebrated a decade of leadership under CONCACAF President and FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani. Addressing the assembly, Montagliani highlighted the confederation’s progress while looking ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by CONCACAF members Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Montagliani extended congratulations to the six CONCACAF nations that have already secured World Cup qualification while offering encouragement to Jamaica and Suriname as they prepare for March’s FIFA Play-Off Tournament. The Canadian leader praised member associations for their role in transforming CONCACAF’s operational foundations and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to elevating standards across the region.

During working sessions, member associations approved CONCACAF’s 2026 budget and addressed statutory matters aligned with the confederation’s strategic priorities. Montagliani emphasized that the organization’s rebuilt foundation now enables long-term planning and confident investment, declaring this a pivotal moment to ‘break through ceilings’ while maintaining unity and integrity.