标签: Saint Lucia

圣卢西亚

  • Saint Lucian girls in Curaçao for Concacaf U17

    Saint Lucian girls in Curaçao for Concacaf U17

    The Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA) has officially announced its 19-player roster for the opening round of the 2026 CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Qualifiers, marking their participation in the tournament’s second edition featuring 28 national teams. The squad commences competitive action on January 26th in Group C, where they will face Haiti, Guatemala, Cayman Islands, and Antigua and Barbuda.

    All group stage matches will be hosted at Curaçao’s Stadion Rignaal ‘Jean’ Francisca. The tournament structure will see the six group champions plus the two highest-ranked runners-up progress to the Final Round of the competition.

    The team boasts significant international experience, featuring key players such as defender Hayla Samuel from El Niños and Lancers FC’s Tori Fanis. Particular attention focuses on emerging talent Kayla Polius, the squad’s youngest member, following her remarkable goal-scoring performance in last year’s Caribbean Football Union Under-14 championship. Similarly, Amaya Emmanuel demonstrated exceptional form during the 2024 CONCACAF Under-15 series, with both athletes having already gained senior team exposure.

    The technical staff is led by Head Coach Minerva Charles, supported by assistant coaches Trevor Anderson, Wade Clovis, and Adele Pierre. Team management includes Shenell St Louis as Manager and Johnia Clifford as Assistant Manager, with Dr. Natasha Innocent serving as Team Physician.

    Full Squad Details:
    Goalkeepers: Kevlyn Fostin, Alyssa Flavius, Alice Phillips
    Defenders: Le Neese Robinson, Aria Andrew, Daria Tisson, Ivana Marshall, Hayla Samuel, Joyceline Neptune, Raina Modeste, Tori Fanis
    Midfielders: Kyla Lionel, Nyeesha Antoine, Dhunya Jn Baptiste, Kennya Richard, Sashaly Martyr
    Forwards: Azia William, Kayla Polius, Amaya Emmanuel

  • Six schools advance to finals of Sagicor Schools’ Choir Competition

    Six schools advance to finals of Sagicor Schools’ Choir Competition

    Four primary schools and two secondary institutions have secured their places in the upcoming finals of St. Lucia’s annual Sagicor Schools’ Choir Competition following rigorous auditions held from January 12-16. The primary division finalists include Augier Combined, Babonneau Primary, Canon Laurie Anglican Primary—the defending champions from last year’s competition—and Ave Maria Primary. In the secondary category, Sir Ira Simmons Secondary and Jon Odlum School of Arts, Media and Design will compete for top honors.

    Event organizer Jason ‘Bachelor’ Joseph, who transformed the traditional music festival into a competitive choir format four years ago, reported mixed developments in this year’s proceedings. While the number of participating schools declined from 16 to 12, Joseph observed significant qualitative improvements in musical arrangements and vocal techniques. ‘Teachers are arranging well now, the students are singing in parts compared to a lot of unison singing before,’ Joseph told St. Lucia Times, acknowledging the competition’s positive impact on choral education standards.

    However, Joseph identified persistent challenges, particularly regarding adherence to musical scores. ‘Some schools are not paying enough attention to the test piece. There is a score that goes with it, and they don’t study the music sheet,’ he noted, indicating room for growth in musical literacy.

    The competition format has adapted to this year’s participation patterns, with four primary schools and two secondary schools set to perform at the National Cultural Centre on February 4—a deviation from the traditional three-school-per-category structure due to one secondary school’s failure to qualify.

    Joseph attributed the overall participation decline to systemic challenges facing school music programs across the island. Transportation limitations and scheduling conflicts have particularly affected choir rehearsals, as larger groups struggle with after-school commitments that individual instrumentalists can more easily navigate. ‘To work with the larger groups, the teachers have been unable to rehearse after school,’ Joseph explained.

    In response to these challenges, Joseph is considering a return to the music festival format for future January events, which would accommodate both solo and group performances while providing broader representation of school music programs. This potential shift remains contingent on sponsor support, with Sagicor continuing as primary sponsor alongside the Nobel Laureate Festival Committee and the Ministry of Education.

  • NGFC, Monchy get winning starts in Bay Bay Cup

    NGFC, Monchy get winning starts in Bay Bay Cup

    The 2026 Kenson Casimir Bay Bay Cup football tournament commenced with spectacular performances as New Generation FC delivered a stunning 9-0 victory against Dominators FC on January 25 at Francis Baba Lastic Grounds in Gros Islet. Monchy United similarly began their campaign with a decisive win in the group stage matches.

    New Generation FC, visiting from Babonneau, demonstrated exceptional prowess through standout performances by Yanic Noel and Shevon Byron, the 2024 Youth Footballer of the Year. The match saw an early breakthrough with Araon Richards scoring in the 12th minute, followed by additional first-half goals from Byron and Lee Edward, establishing a commanding 3-0 lead by halftime.

    The second half intensified New Generation’s dominance as Yanic Noel secured a remarkable hat-trick, matched by Shevon Byron’s trio of goals. A further advantage came from an own goal by Dominators’ Tennyson Burke, culminating in the overwhelming 9-0 result.

    In the subsequent Group B encounter, Monchy United capitalized on veteran striker Troy Greenidge’s expertise. Greenidge scored within the first five minutes against Northern United, who responded with aggressive but fruitless attacks after halftime. Greenidge sealed the victory with a second goal, finalizing the score at 2-0.

    Monchy United’s head coach, Zane Stephen, expressed anticipation for a thrilling and competitive tournament. The event, organized by the Gros Islet Football League, features eight teams vying for the championship title and over $10,000 in prizes. Matches resume on January 28, featuring Gros Islet Veterans versus Police FC and national champions GMC United against Gros Islet Youth.

  • Entrepreneur Leslie Clarke is the island’s latest road fatality

    Entrepreneur Leslie Clarke is the island’s latest road fatality

    The Caribbean nation of Saint Lucia is grappling with the sudden loss of prominent entrepreneur and community benefactor Leslie Clarke, who passed away following a traffic collision on January 25th. The tragic incident occurred on the John Compton Highway between the Choc and Sunny Acres roundabouts, where Clarke, aged in his early eighties, was operating one of the vehicles involved in the accident.

    As the proprietor of Saint Lucia’s Domino’s Pizza franchise, Clarke had significantly expanded the business footprint across the island, most recently extending services to the Choiseul community in September 2025. During the opening ceremony, he had enthusiastically committed to fostering stronger ties with southern residents, demonstrating his enduring dedication to regional development.

    Beyond his commercial achievements, Clarke maintained an extraordinary legacy of philanthropic engagement, particularly in youth sports development. His support encompassed boxing, swimming, and lifesaving programs, with foundational roles in establishing both the Saint Lucia Lifesaving Association and the Saint Lucia Swimming Association during the 1980s.

    Clarke’s distinguished public service included leadership tenures as both General Manager and later Chairman of the National Development Corporation (now rebranded as Invest Saint Lucia) during the early 1990s. His professional trajectory reflected a deep commitment to national economic advancement.

    An accomplished cricketer in his youth, Clarke remained actively engaged in sports throughout his life, maintaining regular swimming routines until his final days. He leaves behind a legacy of community service and business acumen, survived by his four children and extended family members. Local authorities continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision.

  • West Indies U19s extend winning streak at World Cup

    West Indies U19s extend winning streak at World Cup

    In a display of resilience and tactical prowess, the West Indies Under-19 cricket team clinched a crucial 25-run victory against Ireland on January 25th during the Super Six stage of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. The match, held at the High Performance Oval in Namibia, was ultimately decided by the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method following rain interruptions, yet underscored the Caribbean side’s determination to advance in the tournament.

    After winning the toss and opting to bat first, the West Indies lineup faced significant challenges against a disciplined Irish bowling attack. The batting order faltered consistently, with the notable exception of Jewel Andrew, whose international experience proved invaluable. Andrew anchored the innings with a determined knock of 66 runs, providing stability and ensuring his team posted a competitive total of 234 before being bowled out.

    Ireland’s response began promisingly, with openers James West and Freddie Ogibly forging a solid 47-run partnership. The momentum continued as West combined with Adam Lecky for an additional 35 runs, positioning Ireland favorably. However, the West Indies’ spin attack dramatically shifted the game’s dynamics. Vitel Lawes (2-41) and Micah McKenzie (4-36) applied relentless pressure through a series of dot balls, triggering a cascade of reckless shots and wickets from the Irish batsmen.

    Just as Ireland’s innings unraveled, rain intervened, halting play permanently. The umpires subsequently applied the DLS method, confirming the West Indies’ victory. Despite this win, the team acknowledges the need for improvement as they prepare to face an in-form Australian squad on January 28th in a high-stakes encounter that will determine their semi-final prospects.

  • ‘Reds’ Perreira applauds Windies U19 following World Cup performance

    ‘Reds’ Perreira applauds Windies U19 following World Cup performance

    Legendary West Indies cricket commentator Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira has expressed considerable optimism about the regional team’s prospects following their impressive performances at the ongoing ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup across Namibia and Zimbabwe. The Caribbean squad successfully advanced to the tournament’s Super Six stage, securing a notable victory against Ireland on January 26.

    Perreira’s commendation came even prior to this latest triumph, following the team’s impressive group stage victory against South Africa. The veteran commentator, whose association with Windies cricket spans over fifty years, particularly highlighted the exceptional batting display from Zachary Carter, who scored a spectacular 114 runs from just 104 deliveries, including eight boundaries and eight maximums.

    “Carter’s century was truly extraordinary,” Perreira noted. “His powerful striking and strong on-side play remind me of former Guyana and West Indies opener Clayton Lambert. Maintaining a run rate consistently above five while scoring 104 balls with eight fours and four sixes demonstrated remarkable composure.”

    Perreira emphasized the encouraging development of batting depth within the squad, observing that the team no longer relies solely on standout performer Jewel Andrew. He praised Jonathan Van Lange’s supporting partnership with Carter and highlighted opener James Francis’ earlier half-century performance.

    The commentary legend also recognized the team’s bowling strengths, particularly Shaquan Belle’s outstanding 6-40 figures from 10 overs. Perreira identified emerging talents like left-arm medium pacer Jaqueem Pollard and left-arm leg spinner Vitel Lawes as promising prospects for West Indies cricket’s future.

    With this demonstrated depth in both batting and bowling departments, the West Indies squad appears well-positioned to challenge for their second Under-19 World Cup title, potentially ending their decade-long championship drought in the tournament.

  • Kelly Fontenelle named Caribbean Tourism Executive of the Year

    Kelly Fontenelle named Caribbean Tourism Executive of the Year

    Kelly Fontenelle, the Saint Lucian-born Chief Executive Officer of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, has received the prestigious Tourism Executive of the Year award from Caribbean Journal. The recognition highlights her exceptional leadership in driving the federation’s tourism sector to new heights through innovative strategies and targeted promotional efforts.

    Caribbean Journal specifically commended Fontenelle for her relentless pursuit of growth through strategic travel initiatives, targeted promotion, and a remarkable campaign to position St. Kitts as a premier destination within the global travel industry. The publication emphasized her success in keeping the destination ‘top of mind for the global travel trade.’

    In an exclusive interview with St. Lucia Times, Fontenelle expressed humility and credited her entire team for the achievement. ‘This was a really nice honour and this is not just an honour for me, because it has been a team effort,’ she stated. ‘Behind me there is a fantastic team… the Minister for Tourism Marsha Henderson who is very influential in what we do and we have a wonderful board of directors. So the entire team is part of this honour.’

    When questioned about the key factors behind St. Kitts’ tourism success in 2025, Fontenelle identified three critical elements: enhanced destination visibility through expanded advertising in previously untapped markets, a strategic partnership with English football star Cole Palmer that significantly boosted brand recognition, and increased engagement with travel advisors. These coordinated efforts collectively propelled the destination’s tourism performance beyond previous benchmarks.

    Fontenelle, who hails from southern Saint Lucia, assumed her role as CEO in 2024 after serving as Director of Marketing for the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority in the USA. During her tenure there, she played a fundamental role in developing the Saint Lucia Expert (SLEx) loyalty program, which generated substantial growth for brand agents within five years. She is also credited with creating the Romance Specialist Programme for Saint Lucia and was instrumental in establishing the diaspora program. Additionally, Fontenelle founded Travel Advisors Selling the Caribbean, now recognized as the region’s foremost travel advisory company.

    The Caribbean Travel Awards, established by Caribbean Journal in 2014, represent the world’s premier celebration of Caribbean travel excellence, honoring exceptional destinations, accommodations, culinary experiences, and the dedicated professionals who contribute to making the region a world-class tourism destination.

  • Johnson Charles among selections for upcoming T20 World Cup

    Johnson Charles among selections for upcoming T20 World Cup

    The West Indies Cricket Board has officially announced its 15-man roster for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, setting its sights on reclaiming international glory after a ten-year championship drought. Under the leadership of Barbadian captain Shai Hope, the squad will travel to India and Sri Lanka in February for the prestigious tournament, where they hope to replicate their triumphant 2016 campaign.

    The selection, finalized prior to the team’s recent series against Afghanistan as required by ICC regulations, showcases a powerful blend of experienced veterans and emerging talent. The batting lineup demonstrates formidable firepower with the inclusion of explosive hitters including Johnson Charles of Saint Lucia, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, and Sherfane Rutherford.

    Bowling resources appear equally impressive, featuring a diverse spin department led by left-arm specialists Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie, supported by the reliable off-spin of Roston Chase. The pace attack gains formidable strength from rising star Shamar Joseph, complemented by the experienced Jason Holder, along with Jayden Seales and Romario Shepherd.

    Adding fresh dynamism to the squad is newcomer Quentin Sampson, who earned his selection following an outstanding performance in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League where he received the award for most promising emerging player. The Guyanese sensation brings additional energy and potential to the Caribbean side’s campaign.

    The complete squad includes: Shai Hope (Captain), Johnson Charles, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, and Jayden Seales.

  • Hummingbird victorious at CHMS Sports

    Hummingbird victorious at CHMS Sports

    In a stunning reversal of fortunes, Hummingbird House clinched the overall title at the Camille Henry Memorial School Track and Field Championship, held January 23rd at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground. Demonstrating remarkable resilience after a last-place finish in the previous year, the team amassed 396 points—a massive 150-point improvement—to dethrone the defending champions, Flamingo House. The final standings saw Zenaida secure second place with 374 points, followed by Flamingo in third with 354, and Eagle House finishing fourth with 320 points.

    The championship was further illuminated by the extraordinary performances of several young athletes. Daveril Albert secured the Victror Ludorum title in the Under-13 boys’ category for the second consecutive year, defending his titles in both the 80m (10.6 seconds) and 150m (19.9 seconds) events. In a seamless transition to a higher division, Kadia Joseph, the reigning Under-11 champion, dominated the Under-13 girls’ category by sweeping the 80m (11.1s), 150m (20.6s), and 300m (48.6s) races. Last year’s winner in this division, Alexia Giddings of Eagle House, also delivered a strong performance, earning two gold medals and a bronze.

    Other standout competitors included Jaiden Hunte, who emerged as the top Under-11 boy with wins in the 80m (11.4s) and 150m (22.1s). Maddison Lee was a revelation in the Under-11 girls’ category, dominating the 150m (24.9s) and 300m (59.4s) events. Among the youngest competitors, Kheyon Aroudel (Under-9 boys’ 150m, 24.4s) and Emery Minville (Under-9 girls’ 60m, 10.6s and 150m, 28.1s) claimed victories.

    Principal Moarvelle Modeste Lubin attributed the heightened excitement and participation to the inspirational success of World Indoor Champion and Olympic gold medallist Julien Alfred, a Saint Lucian hero. She noted that Alfred’s achievements have fundamentally shifted perceptions about sports on the island. ‘Persons before didn’t see the need for sports… But Julien Alfred proved us wrong,’ Modeste-Lubin stated, highlighting that students now see a tangible path to global achievement. This new ethos has galvanized the entire school community, with parents and teachers volunteering their time on weekends and after school to prepare the athletes. The school’s top competitors will now set their sights on the upcoming District 2 and Inter-District Track and Field Championships, all while balancing preparations for their third-term exit exams.

  • Son charged with murder in Micoud homicide

    Son charged with murder in Micoud homicide

    In a devastating familial tragedy unfolding in Saint Lucia, law enforcement authorities have formally charged Henaniah Joseph with the murder of his own father, Jean Marie Tobolo Joseph. The incident occurred on January 17, 2026, at approximately 11:30 a.m. within their family residence located in the La Tielle area of Micoud.

    Micoud Police Station officers promptly responded to emergency reports of gunfire at the Joseph household. Upon arrival at the scene, authorities discovered the lifeless body of the elder Joseph, presenting obvious signs of traumatic injury.

    Forensic medical experts performed a comprehensive post-mortem examination on January 20, which conclusively determined the cause of death as neuromuscular shock subsequent to severe traumatic brain injury. This pathological finding provided the evidentiary foundation for the homicide classification.

    The judicial process advanced on January 21 when investigators formally arrested and charged Henaniah Joseph with murder. The accused appeared before the Second District Court in Vieux Fort, where presiding judicial authorities ordered his remand to the Bordelais Correctional Facility. He will remain incarcerated there awaiting subsequent judicial proceedings.

    The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force has confirmed that active investigations continue as detectives work to establish motive and reconstruct the precise sequence of events leading to this patricidal tragedy. Community shock reverberates throughout Micoud as residents grapple with this violent rupture of familial bonds.