Carib Scope

标签： Saint Lucia

圣卢西亚

  • Local basketball coaches complete FIBA training course

    Local basketball coaches complete FIBA training course

    A cohort of basketball coaches from Saint Lucia has successfully concluded an advanced, six-day certification program conducted by renowned FIBA instructor Nelson Isley. The intensive training, which also included participants from Dominica and Guyana, took place at the Beausejour Gymnasium in December and represents a significant shift in how the International Basketball Federation qualifies its coaches worldwide.

    Mr. Isley, a former NBA draftee from 1971, detailed the comprehensive overhaul of FIBA’s certification methodology. Developed in partnership with the World Association of Basketball Coaches (WABC), the new system moves beyond theoretical knowledge to prioritize hands-on, practical coaching demonstration. This paradigm shift ensures that certified coaches possess verifiable skills to effectively teach and lead players.

    The rigorous program requires candidates to undergo written examinations and, most critically, to demonstrate their instructional capabilities on the court. Coaches are assigned fundamental topics such as passing or dribbling and are evaluated against a strict set of criteria based on their teaching performance. Upon completion, participants are designated as either ‘competent’ or ‘not yet competent,’ with successful coaches earning official FIBA WABC Level One certification and inclusion in the global database maintained in Geneva.

    Isley expressed considerable optimism regarding the participants’ performance, noting he was ‘pleasantly surprised’ by the high caliber of coaching talent. He emphasized the program’s vital role in elevating basketball’s standing within the Caribbean sporting landscape, where cricket, football, and track and field traditionally dominate. By raising the standard of coaching, FIBA aims to directly improve player development from the grassroots level, particularly focusing on youth aged 9-12, thereby fostering both athletic proficiency and personal growth.

  • Chef Eric Vasson shares skills with aspiring Saint Lucians

    Chef Eric Vasson shares skills with aspiring Saint Lucians

    Thirteen culinary students at the TVET Institute School of Sustainable Agriculture and Culinary Arts experienced an extraordinary masterclass on January 7th, guided by internationally renowned Chef Eric Vasson. The seasoned professional, whose career includes prestigious positions at five-star establishments and MetLife Stadium where he catered for NFL teams including the New York Giants and Jets, shared his extensive expertise with aspiring chefs.

    The immersive session provided a vital bridge between academic learning and practical application in the culinary arts. Chef Vasson emphasized three fundamental pillars for success in the industry: rigorous discipline, creative innovation, and adaptive flexibility. Through comprehensive demonstrations spanning advanced boning techniques to inventive dessert preparation, he established a foundation for students to apply these principles.

    The curriculum culminated in an unexpected basket challenge, allowing participants to demonstrate their newly acquired skills under pressure. This practical test mirrored real-world kitchen scenarios that professionals encounter regularly.

    A native of La Pointe, Mon Repos, Chef Vasson pursued advanced culinary studies in Spain before building an impressive international career. His professional journey eventually led him to establish Island Wheels, a thriving culinary enterprise in Virginia.

    In an exclusive interview with St. Lucia Times, Vasson expressed his enthusiasm for returning to his homeland: “Having traveled extensively and achieved international experience, I’m passionate about contributing to the next generation of culinary professionals. My goal is to inspire them to surpass even my own accomplishments.”

    Student Leon Malcolm reflected on the practical knowledge gained: “Mastering whole chicken breakdown techniques represented a significant skill development I hadn’t previously acquired.”

    Fellow participant Vernick Fulgence emphasized the mindset required: “Culinary excellence demands open-minded exploration. For adventurous and inquisitive individuals like myself, this training provides exceptional value.”

    Sonia Bispack, the institute’s culinary arts instructor, clarified the program’s advanced nature: “Our curriculum operates at an elevated standard compared to conventional food and nutrition programs. Students achieve mastery through extended developmental periods across diverse culinary disciplines.”

    Program facilitators anticipate that this caliber of industry exposure will significantly advantage students as they progress in their professional culinary journeys.

  • Soufriere tragedy sparks heartfelt tributes to devoted father

    Soufriere tragedy sparks heartfelt tributes to devoted father

    The coastal community of Castries, Saint Lucia, has been plunged into mourning following the tragic demise of 31-year-old Sherman Lionel in a marine incident off Anse Mamin, Soufriere. The fatal accident occurred on Wednesday when Lionel, an experienced snorkeler, was struck by a water vessel while exploring underwater realms.

    Emergency response efforts saw the victim transported via private means to Soufriere Hospital, where medical personnel pronounced him deceased approximately at midday. Preliminary reports indicate the severity of injuries sustained in the collision proved insurmountable despite medical intervention.

    As news of the tragedy circulated throughout the island nation, digital memorials blossomed across social media platforms, revealing Lionel’s identity as a dedicated parent and aquatic enthusiast. Heartfelt tributes consistently highlighted his profound devotion to his three young children—one son and two daughters—and his authentic passion for marine activities.

    Digital eulogies captured the collective grief, with one social media user noting: ‘You departed while engaged in what you loved most—diving,’ while another tribute emphasized: ‘His children constituted his entire world. Our hearts break for them.’

    Law enforcement authorities have verified that an additional individual sustained injuries during the incident, though specific details regarding their medical status remain confidential pending family notifications. The Marine Intelligence and Investigations Unit has launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the precise sequence of events and contributing factors that led to this fatal maritime collision.

  • CXC charts a digital future for Caribbean learners

    CXC charts a digital future for Caribbean learners

    The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has unveiled an ambitious digital transformation roadmap, targeting complete digitization of all examinations within the next three to five years. This strategic shift will commence with a partial digital rollout during the January 2026 sitting, marking a significant milestone in the region’s educational assessment evolution.

    Registrar and CEO Dr. Wayne Wesley confirmed that over 10,000 candidates will participate in the January 2026 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations through digital and hybrid assessment formats. Immediate preparations are underway for the May-June 2026 examinations, which will involve more than 100,000 candidates and exceed 600,000 subject entries as the organization accelerates toward full digital implementation.

    Concurrently, the Council’s Board of Governors has endorsed comprehensive disaster-response protocols to ensure educational continuity during crises. The six-step business recovery framework, currently activated in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa, enables coordinated responses to hurricanes, floods, volcanic eruptions, or civil unrest. The protocol includes modified examination arrangements for severely affected schools, adjusted school-based assessments, waived late registration penalties, and extended submission deadlines until June 15, 2026.

    CXC has also introduced updated regional literacy and numeracy benchmarks alongside revised standards for the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA). These publicly available resources, benchmarked against international measures, define competency requirements for proficiency and aim to enhance learning outcomes across primary and secondary education levels.

    In a significant inclusion initiative, the Council is advocating for the adoption of the WIPO Marrakesh Treaty through regional ministries of education. This effort aims to guarantee accessible learning materials for visually impaired and print-disabled students. For the 2025 examinations, special arrangements were provided for more than 3,400 candidates with visual impairments and other special needs, reaffirming CXC’s commitment to equitable participation for all learners regardless of ability.

    Dr. Wesley emphasized CXC’s renewed vision to ‘ignite the potential and shape the future of our Caribbean people,’ highlighting the organization’s five-decade legacy as a CARICOM treaty body dedicated to advancing educational opportunities across the region.

  • West Indies set sights on U19 World Cup glory in Southern Africa

    West Indies set sights on U19 World Cup glory in Southern Africa

    The West Indies Under-19 cricket squad is intensifying its preparatory efforts with ambitious aspirations for the upcoming ICC Under-19 World Cup, set to take place across Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15 to February 6, 2026. Under the leadership of captain Joshua Dorne and head coach Rohan Nurse, the Caribbean team aims to replicate their historic 2016 triumph when they clinched their sole championship title in the tournament’s history.

    A notable inclusion in the selected roster is Antiguan batsman Jewel Andrew, who brings valuable senior-level experience to the youth team. Andrew made his international debut in both One Day Internationals and T20 International formats during 2024, in addition to recording a half-century in the competitive Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League.

    Team captain Dorne expressed enthusiastic optimism about their prospects, emphasizing the significance of international exposure. “The opportunity to compete in an ICC tournament against diverse international squads provides invaluable experience for every player,” the Barbadian cricketer stated. “Jewel’s inclusion substantially strengthens our lineup given his established international background.”

    Vice-captain Jonathan Van Lange echoed this positive outlook, acknowledging his inaugural World Cup participation. “I’m eagerly anticipating the challenge ahead,” the Guyanese player commented. “This represents my first major international tournament, and I’m focused on delivering strong performances through dedicated training sessions with our pathway coaches.”

    Head Coach Nurse emphasized the program’s broader developmental objectives, noting: “From the initial stages, we’ve prioritized educating these young athletes about international cricket standards, both for youth ODI competitions and future professional careers. They’re learning to balance off-field preparation with on-field execution while appreciating the opportunities presented to them.”

  • Police investigating fatal boating accident in Soufrière

    Police investigating fatal boating accident in Soufrière

    Authorities in Saint Lucia have launched a comprehensive investigation into a tragic maritime incident that resulted in the death of a local resident. The Marine Intelligence and Investigations Unit of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force is leading the probe into Wednesday’s fatal accident occurring in the coastal waters near Anse Mamin, Soufrière.

    According to initial investigative findings, the victim was engaged in snorkeling activities when he suffered catastrophic injuries after being struck by an unidentified watercraft. Following the collision, bystanders arranged private transportation to transfer the injured man to Soufrière Hospital for emergency medical treatment.

    Despite medical intervention, the victim succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival. Official confirmation of death was recorded by a medical examiner at precisely 12 p.m. on the day of the incident.

    The deceased has been formally identified as 31-year-old Sheram Lionel, a resident of Trois Piton in the Castries region. Police officials have confirmed that their investigation remains active and ongoing, with authorities examining all aspects of the circumstances surrounding this tragic waterfront accident.

  • Nestor dominates again in UNT win

    Nestor dominates again in UNT win

    The University of North Texas Mean Green women’s basketball team delivered a commanding performance on Tuesday night, February 7th, securing an emphatic 87-63 victory over East Carolina Pirates at The Super Pit. This triumph extends their remarkable unbeaten streak in American Conference home games to a program-record 12 consecutive wins.

    Senior forward Megan Nestor, a former Saint Lucia national netball player, anchored the team’s success with her conference-leading seventh double-double of the season, contributing 14 points and hauling in 17 rebounds. This performance marks her second consecutive double-double and her fifth game this season with 15 or more rebounds, placing her tied for the national lead in that category.

    The offensive firepower was demonstrated by junior guard Aysia Proctor, who set a new career high with a game-leading 24 points. The backcourt duo of Chania Price and Mekhia Chase each added 12 points, also achieving new personal scoring records. Price further distinguished herself by securing her first career double-double with 10 rebounds.

    Facing an East Carolina squad (10-6, 2-1 American) that entered the contest on a six-game winning streak and undefeated in conference play, North Texas delivered what coaches described as their most complete performance of the season. The victory maintains North Texas’s perfect 5-0 all-time record against the Pirates.

    Hailing from the fishing village of Canaries and an alumna of Soufriere Comprehensive Secondary School, the 6-foot-4 Nestor continues to dominate the conference rankings, currently leading in both overall rebounding and offensive rebounding while ranking just outside the top ten in scoring.

  • Saint Lucian boxers to take up Guadeloupe scholarships

    Saint Lucian boxers to take up Guadeloupe scholarships

    Two emerging boxing talents from Saint Lucia have been selected for an elite athletic development program in the Caribbean region. Hervé Charlemagne, 17, and Daniel Martin, 18, have secured coveted scholarships to undertake a comprehensive three-month training immersion at the Centre de Ressources, d’Expertise et de Performance Sportive (CREPS) in Guadeloupe, commencing January 11.

    The young welterweights have demonstrated exceptional prowess in regional competitions. Charlemagne, hailing from Bexon, achieved historic distinction by capturing the bronze medal at the 2023 Central American and Caribbean School Sports Games in Venezuela—marking Saint Lucia’s inaugural international boxing medal. Meanwhile, Martin, originating from Grande Riviere, Gros Islet, has established himself as a two-time gold medalist at the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States championships, most recently triumphing in 2024 as a novice competitor.

    Both athletes share an educational background at St. Mary’s College, with Charlemagne currently representing the institution and Martin advancing to Sir Arthur Lewis Community College on scholarship. Martin brings additional international perspective having previously resided in the United Kingdom, where he attended Patricia D James Secondary School.

    The Saint Lucia Boxing Association (SLBA) has characterized this opportunity as a transformative milestone in athletic development. President David Christopher commended the boxers’ dedication, stating: ‘This scholarship recognizes the exceptional commitment and potential demonstrated by these young athletes. Such prestigious opportunities are earned through relentless discipline and performance.’

    During their immersion, the boxers will access world-class training facilities, advanced coaching methodologies, sports science support systems, and competitive sparring with elite partners. The comprehensive program includes preparatory administrative processing, medical evaluations, and orientation sessions to ensure optimal adaptation to the CREPS training environment.

    Christopher emphasized the broader implications for national sports development: ‘The CREPS program provides exposure to elite training environments that are instrumental for athlete advancement. The knowledge and experience gained will not only elevate individual careers but also enhance the competitive landscape of boxing throughout Saint Lucia.’

    The CREPS Guadeloupe Immersion Programme maintains international recognition for cultivating elite competitors across multiple sporting disciplines, representing a significant investment in Caribbean athletic talent development.

  • Saint Lucians rally to denounce US actions in Venezuela

    Saint Lucians rally to denounce US actions in Venezuela

    A significant demonstration of regional solidarity unfolded in Castries, Saint Lucia, as citizens gathered at Bideau Park to voice staunch support for Venezuela amidst escalating geopolitical tensions. The rally, orchestrated by the interim Saint Lucia/Venezuela Association, served as a powerful rebuke against recent United States military operations targeting Venezuelan territories.

    The carefully chosen venue held profound historical symbolism, featuring busts of Venezuelan liberator Simón Bolívar and Saint Lucian freedom advocate Jean Baptiste Bideau, whose heroic rescue of Bolívar from drowning centuries ago mirrored the contemporary theme of regional protection.

    Venezuelan Ambassador Leiff Escalona expressed profound gratitude for the overwhelming support from Saint Lucian citizens and diplomatic counterparts, particularly noting the presence of Cuban embassy officials. “From the initial reports of US aerial bombardments targeting four Venezuelan cities, my office received numerous calls from concerned Saint Lucians,” Ambassador Escalona revealed. “This public display of solidarity confirms our shared commitment to peace.”

    Trevor Heath, representing the organizing association, characterized US military maneuvers as “barbaric acts of aggression” that threaten the entire Caribbean basin. Reading from an official statement, Heath condemned “the Trump administration’s blatant attempt to orchestrate regime change against democratically elected President Nicolás Maduro” and denounced the “calculated seizure of Venezuela’s oil resources for American corporate interests.”

    Cuban Ambassador Yenielys Linares amplified these concerns, labeling the January 3rd incidents as “illegal and irrational acts of aggression.” She revealed disturbing repercussions already affecting Caribbean students in Cuba, with one Saint Lucian scholar expressing fear about returning to studies amid regional instability. “Who granted Trump authority to designate which nation follows Venezuela as the next target?” Ambassador Linares posed to the assembled crowd.

    Veteran journalist Earl Bousquet provided crucial historical context, documenting 70 US military interventions in Latin America and the Caribbean between 1947-1983. “The pattern demonstrates alarming consistency—from Grenada in 1983 to Panama in 1989, Haiti in 2004, and now Venezuela in 2026,” Bousquet cautioned. He highlighted the recent reformulation of the Monroe Doctrine into the “Donroe Doctrine” as explicit confirmation of American expansionist intentions.

    Bousquet, dressed in black to memorialize 32 Cuban and 80 Venezuelan casualties from the recent attacks, emphasized that meaningful solidarity requires tangible sacrifice. “The United States demonstrates willingness to spill blood for oil, particularly as Venezuela redirects 68% of its petroleum exports to China, diminishing US energy leverage,” he analyzed.

    The protest concluded with unified demands for President Maduro’s safe return, complete military withdrawal from the region, and immediate resumption of diplomatic negotiations. The collective message resonated clearly: the Caribbean remains determined to preserve its status as a zone of peace against foreign intervention.

  • Solid Waste Agency apologises for collection delays in Choiseul

    Solid Waste Agency apologises for collection delays in Choiseul

    The Saint Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority has formally expressed regret to communities within the Choiseul zone after significant interruptions in garbage collection services left waste accumulating in residential areas.

    Citing operational difficulties in a January 6, 2026 press statement, the Authority conceded that scheduled pickups had been either delayed or completely missed across multiple neighborhoods. This service failure created substantial inconvenience for local residents and raised concerns about public sanitation.

    In response to the growing waste backlog, management has activated all available resources to normalize collection operations. A specialized cleanup initiative commenced on Wednesday, January 7, targeting the accumulated refuse with additional personnel and equipment deployed specifically for recovery operations.

    While restoration efforts continue, Choiseul residents receive instructions to maintain their regular disposal routines by placing waste outside on originally designated collection days. The Authority emphasizes that consistent household cooperation will facilitate more efficient clearance of the existing waste surplus.

    Officials concluded their announcement by acknowledging public patience during the service disruption and reaffirming their commitment to resolving the situation promptly.