Sports Development on Solid Foundation

Building Resilience

Issue 13 | 06 Oct, 2018

OUR SAINT LUCIA www.govt.lc

Bi-monthly Progress Report from the Government of Saint Lucia

Sports Development on Solid Foundation • Local Athletes to Watch • YES to Youth Empowerment • Government delivers on After School Programme • Upgrades coming for Sporting Facilities

CONTENTS

02

06 Oct 2018

3 Youth Empowerment in focus

www.govt.lc

Breaking down The Parker Contract

4-5 PS Donovan Williams talks sports

12-13

6-7

NLA After School Programme

Athletes to watch

14

8-9 Ministers on the Move

Sports Development on Solid Foundation consultants to look at the infrastructural aspects and policies to guide us moving forward. We are laying out a structure for the development of sports.”

The minister made mention of the National Youth Policy which was currently being developed. He noted the policy would soon be presented to Cabinet, and later tabled in Parliament. In terms of a timeframe, he noted, “We are very near when it comes to that.”

Pertaining to the sports infrastructural programme, five communities were in focus, including Gros Islet, Micoud North, Micoud South, Dennery, and Soufriere. A sporting facility in Dennery already underway was expected to be completed in 2019. The minister had high hopes of the facility becoming the premier football ground on island.

Minister for Youth Development and Sports Honourable Edmund Estephane

T

he government of Saint Lucia has made a clear decision to focus on major critical aspects of the island’s development, with youth and sports development one such area of focus. With carefully outlined policies guiding the blue print to prioritize human development, The United Workers Party administration continues to roll out several programmes intended to benefit citizens.

With a firm belief that young people are prized assets, the government is moving to stimulate the creation of an enabling environment complete with support structures and programmes to facilitate growth and development. Edmund Estephane, the island’s Minister of Youth Develop-

ment and Sports spoke recently on the financial support of the National Lotteries Authority to the youth and sport arena, which he said had been standard for several years. In this year’s budget, prime minister Allen Chastanet speaking about sports infrastructure development noted that the government would be pumping USD12 million into development facilities, in the initial stage. Speaking to these developments, the youth and sports minister said currently there were individuals on the ground working to provide a comprehensive outlook on what was needed to further develop communities around the island sporting wise.

“This is a major component of what is taking place at the ministry,” Estephane stated. “Added to that we are trying to implement a National Sports Strategy, so we are putting together some other

“When it comes to that particular programme, just recently a number of ministers were away in Miami looking at facilities in terms of how conducive they are to our kind of weather and selecting a turf company that would be providing the artificial turf on island, and the artificial track for track and field activities,” the minister said.

As for other programme and development ventures including that of the National Sports Academy and the National School for Excellence, plans have been pushed into 2019. The minister said government was working feverishly to make it all happen.

“It takes a lot more work, getting all associations and everyone to agree as to moving forward,” he said. “I am a very patient individual. I know that the structures and the policies did not exist previously. That did not auger well for development. As you try to put in the requisite structure and try to change, it’s not going to happen in a day, or in a year. We are working, and at the end of the day, our structures, facilities and policies will be done to the benefit of sports, and for our young people.”

Building Resilience

T

www.govt.lc

03

Y.E.S. to Y.E.P!

he Youth Empowerment Programme (Y.E.P) was launched in October 2018. The Ministry of Youth and Sports has high hopes for the programme which is a holistic initiative aimed at empowering young people, particularly school drop outs. Funding for the implementation of the project was sourced from the Caribbean Development Bank’s Special Fund, with the launch being held in collaboration with another CDB programme, EQUIP. “CDB decided to do a joint launch, and it is a very powerful initiative,” Donovan Williams, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports said, adding that the CDB will provide support in several different programmatic areas. The project will present a programme approach intended to benefit students who’ve been suspended, for example, by modifying the definition of suspension itself.

As part of the initiative, no longer will the period of suspension be an empty time where students are banned from coming to school, but a fruitful and character-building opportunity.

“Rather than having them suspended out of school, you don’t know what they’re doing, more than likely they’re getting up to no good, [as part of the programme] they will be placed in a structured environment where you’re teaching them soft skills, new skills… you’re finding out a little bit more about them in terms of the challenges they have, and you’re determining the need for referrals in terms of counselling.”

The Y.E.P. programme will offer support to students in need by creating a positive environment in which they can grow. According to the PS, there are other initiatives being rolled out by the government designed to channel young people away from being involved in delinquent and criminal behavior, and potentially discontinuing their formal education.

“These stem from the realization that a lot of the crimes that were occurring involved young people, particularly young men, and the need to address that in a more positive way,” Williams stated. “There will be more focus on creative

The Y.E.P. programme will offer support to students in need by creating a positive environment in which they can grow. expression, sports development, arts and culture. There are some very comprehensive packaged programmes being streamlined.”

One of these programmes is the Youth Empowerment System (Y.E.S.), being facilitated in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

“The essence of them both is empowerment, and we’ve managed to get them to collaborate, so we can maximize on the resources that are available,” Williams added.

The CDB funded programme Y.E.P will be primarily focused on Castries, with other elements designed to address issues within Castries including the restoration of George V Park. Y.E.S., the USAID backed project is broader in its scope and focuses on five distinct regions; Castries, Dennery, Anse La Raye, Soufriere, and Vieux Fort.

“The focus has been on collecting data as the basis for decision making,” the PS said. “There

was a lot of data collection on crime island wide, and based on that data, these five regions were identified. The idea is also to identify those most at risk through an instrument, and to use the assessment of the level of risk of individuals to then determine what type of support each should get. It’s very systematic, and there will be a monitoring and evaluation of that moving forward.”

Over the next six to 12 months, Williams expects to see several young persons in those regions being engaged in various activities, with monitoring systems keeping track of their performance.

“There’s a lot that will be happening,” he said, “a lot that will allow for a better scientific assessment of the impact of some of the initiatives we’re having for our youth. All of them are focusing on young people, not as the end user of it, but as the creators of what is happening, implementors, evaluators, etc. That has to be the crux of what youth empowerment initiatives are all about.”

04

06 Oct 2018

www.govt.lc

FEARLESS. INNOVATIVE. PASSIONATE. The Evolution of Youth and Sports

Donavan Williams, PS, Ministry of Youth Development and Sports

A

cross the board, innovation and change are sweeping over the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

With Permanent Secretary Donavan Williams one of the faces at the forefront of the ministry’s evolution, one can expect tremendous growth, out of the box thinking, and real life change.

the past we had youth and sports officers who had been based in regions… Castries and Anse La Raye for example.

We think this new configuration will be more productive and relevant in terms of assigning the officers with portfolios and allowing them based on those assignments to go around the island to fulfil their duties.

What’s on the cards for the Ministry of Youth and Sports in youth development?

How would this work exactly?

P.S: There are several things we’re trying to put in place. We have a youth policy document that has not been finalized and ratified by all the stakeholders, so we want to do another consultative effort to get that finalized, and then use that as a basis for the programming responses we want to initiate. That is not to say we’re not doing other things as we speak, but that’s one of the things we want to put in place as a precursor.

Can you speak to the upcoming changes relating to roles and responsibilities of youth and sports officers?

P.S: Certainly. We’ve begun the process of getting our officers to be more focused on specific thematic areas. In

P.S: For example, we’ve recognized one of the areas of concern is developing the capacity of organizations, specifically youth organizations. I think that is significant enough for one individual officer to have the responsibility, and to then be in a position on an island wide basis to provide the necessary support on the ground to ensure youth-based organizations are flourishing, issues of membership are being addressed, etc. There may be another focus on business development. We think with the numbers we have it is certainly a more judicious use of our resources, in this case human resources, to have them being deployed in this way, and then to be able to interface with the geographically based officers. Our social transformation officers who are geographically based will now become the mobilizers within the communities.

Building Resilience

Has this approach been attempted before?

P.S: I don’t know if its been done here in Saint Lucia. We’ve always typically had youth and sports officers and they’ve always been based in regions. There were never really assignments in that sense, or portfolios that they focused on.

Is this something that you’re excited about as PS in the Ministry of Youth and Sports?

P.S: Absolutely. I think we got to the point where our youth and sports officers were getting tired. We need to energize them. We need to give them something they will be excited about, and I think if we can find the right portfolios, that will be ones of the areas that will energize them, and in turn will give us an opportunity to have major impact.

Why the move to this new modus operandi?

P.S: We were finding that there was too much variation in terms of what was happening in particular regions. Where there was a very good, or vibrant youth and sports officer, you’d find things happening there, and one that was less vibrant, not so much. I think we need to standardize the whole approach and arrangement, and that’s one of the ways in which we can do that.

Can you share details on some of the other initiatives being rolled out by government?

P.S: One of the initiatives mentioned in the Budget that we are still formulating in a very concrete way is the National Youth Service Programme. We’ve had discussions with some relevant partners on that, particularly RISE. I think we

www.govt.lc

05

can make this programme something that will excite young people – not the typical youth service where youth are engaged in particular types of service in the community, but giving them an opportunity to identify some of the challenges within communities, and then the support to allow them to respond to those challenges. They will be able to use their experiences there as a springboard for getting opportunities. The focus would be on finding solutions to localized issues and challenges, and using creativity, effort and passion to resolve those issues. That will be the essence of the Youth Service Programme which will be rolled out by the end of the year.

How do you feel about this new air of change within your department?

P.S: I think change must happen. My feeling is we cannot continue to operate as we have done over a significant period. The results have shown that we have not moved much because we’ve done the same things. For us to change there must be some fundamental actions that are taking place. Leadership is going to be key, and leadership at all levels, not just at the level of head of government.

Leadership at the level of community is also important.

There must be hard decisions taken, and we’ve seen instances where some of these decisions are not deemed to be acceptable, and that’s fine. There can be that dialogue around those ideas. I think its important that we have dialogue, but at the end of the day, certain decisions must be taken and then we move forward. We need to be fearless. I am more optimistic now because I think particularly with our young people, if we give them opportunity, their natural inclination is to be fearless, to make something happen. Give them the tools and they will be the ones to make the changes come alive if we can just provide them with the support that is needed.

“We need to be fearless. I am more optimistic now because I think particularly with our young people, if we give them opportunity, their natural inclination is to be fearless, to make something happen.”

06

06 Oct 2018

www.govt.lc

National Sports Facilities Set for Upgrade

I

n September 2017 the Government of Saint Lucia engaged the Parker Company (TPC) to help with their technical expertise ahead of the formulation of the National Sports Infrastructure and Programme Action Plan. The objective of the Government of Saint Lucia’s contracted services with The Parker Company (TPC) is to improve sporting infrastructure island wide and upgrade facilities to international standards. Funds for this project (US$12 million) will be paid to TPC for the construction of five sporting facilities (in the initial stage) across the island. Phase 1 of the project spanned for six months from September 2017 to March 2018, with Phase 2 beginning in May 2018, with a duration of a further 15 months to completion. Several projects are set to be designed and constructed by February to June 2019.

Phase 1 of the project encompassed the development of a Master Plan and National Sports Strategy. The TPC team in its master plan recommendations developed two categories to start projects in 2018 including ‘Shovel Ready Projects’ and ‘Study Ready Projects’. Shovel Ready Projects are defined as existing venues that merit immediate consideration for upgrade

as part of the national interest as well as to serve as model venues for the rest of the country in several categories. Study Ready Projects are defined as existing venues of proposals newbuild venues that merit immediate and further study by the TPC team to develop solutions and options for the Government of Saint Lucia to consider in the very near future but after more due diligence.

The contract for Phase 2 of the project states that the first scope of work for TPC is to manage design, development and construction of several projects for the next 15 months within a maximum project budget set by the GOSL not to exceed US$12,000,000.

According to the contractual agreement, for each month during the project – GOSL will advance the funds requested by TPC with proper backup documentation in order for TPC to pay all the project stakeholders (under separate contracts or via a Purchase Order System managed by TPC on behalf of the GOSL), including but not limited to: architects, engineers, specialty consultants, general contractors… and all other companies and personnel assigned to work on the projects.

An example of some of the upgrades being presented for local sporting facilities in order to enhance and meet international standards

Building Resilience

www.govt.lc

07

Major Accomplishments

the six (6) study ready projects:

The George Odlum Stadium The Saint Lucia Pavilion – aka Daher Mall Beausejour Sports Complex – Daren Sammy Cricket Stadium Mindoo Philip / Marchand Grounds Vigie Sports Complex National Sports Park in Cul de Sac the six (6) shovel ready projects:

The Soufriere Mini Stadium Dennery Sports Complex Gros Islet Football Ground Micoud North Sports Complex Micoud South Sports Complex Gros Islet Secondary School

what is the parker company?

The Parker Company (TPC) is a global leader in venue operational planning & procurement/purchasing services for the Sports, Entertainment, Special Events, Hotel, Hospitality and Convention Center industries. Based in Miami with offices in London, Zurich and Dubai, the Sports & Events group takes on many of the most complex stadium, arena and event projects around the world.

Parker team members have proven experience with the NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS, NCAA and the Olympic Games, Cricket World Cup & numerous FIFA global events. TPC meets the needs of the world’s most demanding clientele. The Sports & Event’s team specializes in project master planning and budgeting as well as the strategic undertaking of sports/entertainment venue development and major event operations management. Parker ‘s FF&E/OS&E team provide turnkey services from pre-operations development to procurement for major sports new-build construction and/or renovation projects. TPC provides the highest level of service in the industry.

08

06 Oct 2018

www.govt.lc

NLA: Play More to D T

he National Lotteries Authority (NLA) has been supporting youth and sports development in Saint Lucia since its establishment. Annually, the NLA spends millions supporting programmes, projects, and people as part of their mandate to assist in the development of youth and sports. Their mandate, part of the National Lotteries Authority bylaw, states specifically that funds paid to the Lottery as Management Fees from Caribbean Banknote (CBN) and Cage Saint Lucia, two companies who operate games in Saint Lucia, are to be used for youth and sports develop-

The NLA has since rebounded and continues to support numerous projects and programmes through the Management Fees it receives monthly. The deputy chairman noted the funds of the NLA depended on the number of players, how often they played, in addition to how much they received in fees. The NLA’s funds support the island’s youth and sports budget in entirety, with the Ministry of Youth and Sports responsible for coming up with activities and projected costs. The key, according to the deputy chairman, was accountability and maintaining commitments.

As it related to support for associations, Charles noted each association was allotted funds based on priorities of the Youth and Sports department. Based on a recently developed tier system, associations receive funding according to rank. Top tier associations in sporting for example, including the Saint Lucia Volley Ball Association, the Saint Lucia Athletics Association, Saint Lucia Cricket Association, Saint Lucia Football Association and the Saint Lucia Amateur Swimming Association receive $100,000 each annually, with 60 percent of that figure earmarked for events, and 40 percent for developmental or grass roots projects. Second tier associations received $60,000, and third tier $37,500. The 60/40 rule applied for all categories, with formal proposals necessary ahead of all events, and full reports to be submitted by the associations thereafter.

NLA sponsored Christmas Party in 2016 at the Dennery Multi-Purpose Complex.

ment on the island. Over the years the structure has shifted in terms of how the Lotteries Authority provides support, and how requests are made by various associations and agencies to access those funds.

A new NLA board was appointed in 2016 and since then has conducted a comprehensive review of how funds have been used for the development of youth and sports. Nancy Charles, Deputy Chairman of the NLA elaborated: “What we inherited was that there was no ‘budget’ for the department. The department was operating in a haphazard manner where there were programmes executed, and the bill was just sent to National Lotteries to pay it. It was almost like a bank, they just pay for everything, nothing structured.”

Though the board noted most associations were taking advantage of the benefits of the new structure, Charles said others had not used the 40 percent.

“It was disappointing and very telling because it meant we were trying to get them to go back to the drawing board, to think about the sporting discipline they were responsible for and see how they could develop it,” she said. “That was something that stood out to

In addition to that, the deputy chairman revealed the new board was also met with a deficit, and a bank account with an overdraft over $800,000.

“We did not inherit any money when we came in,” Charles pointed out. “We had to try to rebuild to ensure at the end of the day we had enough funds to support the youth and sports agenda of the Government of Saint Lucia.”

Christmas train ‘round the island gift giving.

us, the

Las an me mi tio the rec ry ing wit sch NL cil the fro loc Re shi fin wit wh the

Th NL inc we Gro up tal

Building Resilience

www.govt.lc

08 09

o Do More

ous s it NLA d, in nds the tivihair-

ociorts cias in ciacket ucia ally, cent ons d for nts,

age not

were bout hey t to

us, and we indicated to them the need to make an effort to have these developmental activities.”

Last year alone, EC$1 million was allocated to various sporting clubs and associations, and $1.5 million to the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports from the NLA. This year’s budget will be $1.9 million forming the entire youth and sports budget with the exception of administrative salaries. In addition to mandated obligations, the NLA also supports many other requests for sponsorship received daily. To deal with the inundation of requests from primary and secondary schools on the island for support with their sporting events, the NLA has developed a schools sporting programme within which all primary schools receive $500 and secondary schools, $1000 annually towards their sports meet budgets. The NLA also supports other entities including the National Youth Council and Sports Saint Lucia Inc. The latter received $500,000 towards the field maintenance programme in 2017. Several elite athletes from Saint Lucia receive financial support from the Authority with local and international college tuition and other related expenses.

Recently several athletes who’d been awarded football scholarships in the US and the UK from the Kickstart Foundation received financial support to the tune of $80,000 ($20,000 each) to assist with their partial scholarships. All in all, the NLA provides assistance whenever possible to programmes and initiatives that fall within the youth and sports development arena.

There are several other projects currently being undertaken by the NLA including the financing of upgrades to several sports venues including the Canaries Playing Field, the Dennery Playing Field, as well as playing fields in Grace (Vieux Fort), Babonneau, Marigot and Gros Islet. Upgrades include the installation of lighting fixtures, updates to changing rooms, grading fields and other developmental work. Some of these projects are still upgoing, but the NLA has

Dennery Contestant Cassie Emmanuel, first ever NLA sponsored pageant contestant.

highlighted the project in Dennery which is valued at $4 million as their flagship project.

In October 2018 the NLA launched an afterschool programme which boosts 30 coaches and 10 life skills facilitators who are expected to positively impact the lives of vulnerable youth in Saint Lucia. This new initiative is added to the NLA’s provision of 16 coaches in various sporting disciplines who are currently aiding physical education teachers in primary and secondary schools locally.

The National Lotteries Authority has provided support and funding for a number of youth and sports associations on the island.

Even though the NLA already receives hundreds of sponsorship letters monthly, the deputy chairman issued a call for more requests, particularly youth-oriented requests for sponsorship which she said were few and far between. She encouraged youth-based organizations to submit proposals with programmes which were in line with NLA’s mandate.

10

06 Oct 2018

www.govt.lc

NLA Supports After School Programme developing sporting talent, providing academic support, modifying behavior through sports and life skills training, and reducing the vulnerability of participants. Activities will include football and track and field, life skills training, homework assistance, and other social aspects such as tours.

Students will also be provided with daily meals.

As it relates to the selection of students for the programme, officials said that was left up to school administration, with registration forms sent to parents to confirm their willingness for the participation of their child. Though select schools were targeted for participation in the programme, the first phase of the pilot project found that siblings attending different schools could also be incorporated for the sake of convenience.

Vide Bouteille say Cheese...or ASP

T

he National Lotteries Authority (NLA) has once again demonstrated its commitment to providing support for youth development and sports. On Tuesday October 2, the NLA launched a government commissioned after school programme designed to engage students from select schools in organized activities at various locations on island. The launch was held at the Office of the Prime Minister, where representatives of NLA and the government shared details about the initiative.

The NLA backed after school programme materialized after the government of Saint Lucia expressed interest in developing the programme as a means of enhancing sports development and reducing the risk to vulnerable students in the hours after school dismissal. The programme will get underway at centers in targeted locations between the hours of 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.

According to an NLA representative, the Authority came on board with the programme as it was seen as one which was sustainable, which would benefit the nation’s most valuable resource, the youth.

In March 2018, The NLA invited representatives from 19 local government, NGO, sporting, educational, and other relevant agencies to discuss the realization of the programme. The proposed structure was unveiled, as well as other encompassing elements. An executive committee was later appointed to finalize all aspects of the programme and manage the programme on behalf of NLA. After a series of meetings, the imitative has been tweaked and enhanced in numerous ways, which will be demonstrated in Phase 2 of the after school programme.

At Tuesday’s engagement officials discussed the main objectives of the programme which include;

Just Chillin..... with the ASP Crew

As the programme transitioned into Phase 2, questions arose regarding what would happen at the culmination of that stage of the pilot programme. Representatives noted that following the submission of all reports and the completion of appraisals, the Executive Committee would review the programme and make recommendations to the NLA. The programme will continue in 2019, with room for expansion, particularly in terms of the inclusion of more age groups (secondary and tertiary) as well as early childhood. Additional sporting options are also being considered. With government’s intention to upgrade sporting facilities on island, the after school programme stands to benefit tremendously, with the possibility of sports such as swimming, basketball, and netball being incorporated.

By the end of Tuesday’s event, Edmund Estephane, the island’s Minister of Youth Development and Sports stamped his seal of approval on the programme that is expected to benefit the more vulnerable youth in society in a productive and wholesome manner.

THE ASP PILOT PROJECT

Building Resilience

www.govt.lc

08 11

Physical Education in Focus

A

body in motion stays that way, and no one understands the theory made famous by the late Isaac Newton more than physical education teachers around the island who spend their days engaging

students in various physical exercises intended to keep their bodies in top form. The benefits of physical education are endless, including reducing the rate of non-communicable diseases, strengthening bones, muscles and joints, controlling weight, building cardiorespiratory fitness, reducing anxiety and depression as well as the risk of developing health conditions.

In the World Health Organization’s Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health, the international body recommends at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical education activity daily for young people between the ages of 5-17. There are further health benefits to increasing the minimum 60-minute time frame. Here in Saint Lucia, students across the island participate in physical education regularly, particularly at the primary school level. Most physical education sessions revolve around games or other sporting activities which are recommended for all children, with the exception of those with medical conditions which prevent them from participating.

In an era where physical activity continues to battle fiercely with the lure of the internet and smart phones, physical education teachers here and abroad are challenged to come up with new methods to engage students and deliver the desired results.

In that light, Dr. Verneta Lestoris, Curriculum Officer for Physical Education in the Ministry of Youth and Sports here in Saint Lucia revealed that a new curriculum had been developed for physical education at the primary school level. She noted the curriculum was the first of its kind, as there had never been a physical education curriculum at the primary school level.

She also noted that the Department of Youth and Sports continued to provide support to physical education teachers at all levels, with the inaugural Physical Education Teachers Conference being held earlier this year.

Currently, there are physical education teachers at every public school on island, both primary and secondary, something Dr. Lestoris says is not new, but shows the commitment of both the Youth and Sports Ministry, and the Education Ministry in providing students with a well-rounded curriculum overall.

“We’ve been making great strides in terms of professional development for physical education teachers,” Dr. Lestoris noted, adding that though physical education wasn’t compulsory in the higher forms at secondary school, perhaps it was something that could be considered in the future.

The curriculum officer also noted that the success of the National School for Sports was dependant on the quality of physical education in schools, particularly at the primary school level.

12

06 Oct 2018

www.govt.lc

ATHLETES TO WATCH o u r s a i n t l u c i a u p d at e s y o u o n t h e m o s t c o m p e l l i n g l o c a l at h l e t e s y o u ’ l l s u r e ly b e s e e i n g m o r e o f. k e e p a n e y e o n t h e s e at h l e t e s o n t h e r i s e :

1 ) k i m a n i m e l i u s , c r i c k e t, b a b o n n e a u

-

Aged just 17, Kimani Melius is rapidly making a name for himself. He already has more than 100 scores in excess of 50, but none more impressive than the 275 he made for Babonneau Secondary in 2015… aged just 14! It remains the highest individual score in the history of Saint Lucian cricket. Kimani has since played for West Indies Under-19 and West Indies B.

2 ) j u l i e n a l f r e d , c i c e r o n , at h l e t i c s Julien Alfred broke her first official national junior record in 2015, before she had turned 14. She blew away all regional competition at the Central American and Caribbean Age Group Track and Field Championships in Trinidad and Tobago back then. In 2017, aged 16, this future Olympic hopeful became the nation’s first Commonwealth Youth Games champion, in the women’s 100m dash.

3) megan nestor, canaries, netball Early this year, Saint Lucia hosted the Jean Pierre Youth Netball Tournament, finishing a strong second, behind only perennial champions, Jamaica. Megan Nestor was team captain.

The Canaries native, a product of Soufrière Comprehensive, is such a talented shooter that she was Team Saint Lucia’s most outstanding player at the 2017 ECCB Under-23 Tournament, when she was just 14.

4 ) s t e v e n o c tav e , c a n a r i e s , f o o t b a l l For years, Steven Octave’s potential has been clear. A prolific goal scorer, he led Canaries Primary to four District 8 football titles. Now aged 14, and a student at Soufrière Comprehensive, he has gone international. At the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) 2018 Boys’ Under-14 Challenge Series in the Dominican Republic, his six strikes gave Saint Lucia the overall title.

Building Resilience

www.govt.lc

08 13

5 ) k i m a n i a l p h o n s e , v i e u x f o rt, at h l e t i c s Building on her 200m finals appearance at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games, 18-year-old Kimani Alphonse broke the 11-year-old national junior record for the women’s 400m in 2018. She did so whilst winning gold medals in both events at the CBN / WINLOTT Windward Islands School Games on home soil, a stone’s throw away from her alma mater, Vieux Fort Comprehensive.

6 ) q i a n a j o s e p h , g r o s i s l e t, c r i c k e t At Gros Islet Secondary and Corinth Secondary, Qiana Joseph could usually be found playing cricket with the boys. She excelled to the extent that she made the Windward Islands team at the age of 15, and then the West Indies team aged 16. Now 17, she hopes to play for West Indies in front of her home fans for this year’s Women’s World T20.

7 ) a c k e e m a u g u s t e , g r o s i s l e t, c r i c k e t The golden generation of Saint Lucian cricket has seen several players following Daren Sammy in wearing West Indies colours at youth level. The latest, Ackeem Auguste, a classy wicketkeeper-batsman, toured England with the West Indies Under-16 this year. He captained Saint Lucia’s under-15 team and has played for Windward Islands up to U17.

8 ) d e ’ a n d r e c a l d e r o n , g r o s i s l e t, ta b l e t e n n i s Saint Lucia's best young table tennis player, De’Andre Calderon is rapidly constructing an impressive CV. Aged just 13, this Castries Comprehensive student is already the top under 18 player locally. The world-ranked Corinth native captained the national under 13 team to second in the Caribbean Championships in the Dominican Republic.

9 ) k at i e k y l e , g r o s i s l e t, s w i m m i n g With 10 age group records and three national records before her 16th birthday, Katie Kyle is set to become one of Saint Lucia’s greatest swimmers ever. She will be 18 when the Tokyo Olympics start, but the Plymouth College (England) student should add it to her list of accolades, alongside a host of regional medals, and participation at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

14

06 Oct 2018

www.govt.lc

MINISTERS ON THE MOVE Prime Minister Hon Allen Chastanet having a discussion on CARICOM related matters at the United Nations General Assembly with Prime Minister of Jamaica Hon. Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Barbados Hon. Mia Mottley and Prime Minister of Antigua & Barbuda Hon. Gaston Browne.

The second Annual Hon. Ezechiel Joseph Academic Awards Ceremony for students from Babonneau who performed exemplary at the 2018 Common Entrance Exams. Top performing students from Primary schools across the constituency were rewarded with gift vouchers and laptops.

Youth Development Minister Hon. Edmund Estaphane joins the team of St Lucia National Lottery for the launch of the pilot After School Programme.

Sustainable Development Minister Hon Gale Rigobert with The Solid Waste Management team at Solid Waste Management Technical Deep Dive 2018. The Technical Deep Dive (TDD) strives to convey a deep understanding of Japan’s SWM system and approaches.

Building Resilience

Connect With Us

www.govt.lc

08 15

Eye on Sports Tourism

Office of the Prime Minister -www.facebook.com/opmsaintlucia -www.instagram.com/opmsaintlucia Allen Chastanet -www.facebook.com/allenmchastanet -www.twitter.com/allenmchastanet Lenard "Spider" Montoute -www.facebook.com/lenardspidermontoute Ezechiel Joseph -www.facebook.com/ezechieljoseph758 Sarah Flood Beaubrun -www.facebook.com/sarahfloodbeaubrun758 Guy Joseph -www.facebook.com/guyejoseph Stephenson King www.facebook.com/stephensonking Mary Isaac -www.facebook.com/maryisaacslu Fortuna Belrose -www.facebook.com/fortunabelrose758 Dominic Fedee -www.facebook.com/dominic.fedee Herod Stanislas -www.facebook.com/herodstanislas Bradly Felix -www.facebook.com/bradlyfelix758 Dr Gale T C Rigobert -www.facebook.com/drgalerigobert758 Edmund Estephane -www.facebook.com/edmundestephane758

Rhikkie Alexander, Attaché to the Minister for Youth Development and Sports.

With sights set on becoming the sports go-to hub of the Caribbean, the government has embarked on strategic efforts to ensure the island is properly equipped for the transition. Numerous agencies are contributing to the cause, but none more so than the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports with programmes catered to the training of coaches and other support personnel, as well as investments promoting infrastructural development in the short and long term.

Rhikkie Alexander Executive Assistant to Minister of Youth and Sports Edmund Estephane said it best, “The government is really preparing for that international sports tourism, where we will be able to host so many events, and really be the envy of the Caribbean.”

Saint Lucia already has several athletes who’ve made it to the international stage, and teams in sports including athletics, swimming, football and other discipline have gone head to head with regional and international teams putting Saint Lucia on the map with record performances. The next step according to Alexander is ensuring facilities are in adequate condition to match the star quality of the island’s athletes to open the gateway to hosting international games and other events.

“It’s just fitting the puzzles together, nurturing and developing the talent, and creating new ones coming up,” Alexander said.

“We see sports as a means for people to grow a career, and not something you just do as a hobby. The facilities are being developed so in addition to the sports tourism aspect, you have sports health and wellness.”

As part of a new sports strategy several venues have been identified for upgrade within the next few years, many of which are complete with design plans more glamourous than anything Saint Lucia has seen before on the level of national venues. These include The Saint Lucia Pavilion – aka Daher Mall and the National Sports Park in Cul de Sac, both currently being identified and planned as iconic / national venues.

Speaking on the island’s thrust to recreate itself in sports, particularly in terms of enhancing programmes and infrastructure, Alexander said the government recognized the importance of integrating sports into society to create a holistic approach to sport development. Though currently sports tourism is not one of the niche tourism markets for Saint Lucia, the sector is on the trajectory for growth as the island readies itself for a new era in development.