Some 40 players turned up from around the nation to strut their stuff on Saturday, September 4^th at the George Odlum Stadium in front of new SLFA Technical Director Ces Podd and his technical team as part of a drive to unearth fresh talent for the national programme.

“We watched about 40 participants from age 14 to 32, which is a tremendous showing considering it’s the first time we have invited players to try out for the national team,” said the Technical Director. “The sessions have given all of our coaches real food for thought because there were several difficult choices that had to be made. We will likely continue to use this and other methods as part of our drive to see as many players as possible and help develop the growth of football Island wide.”

Registration of the players, some of whom attended with parents, began early as several arrived before 10am. The sessions started promptly at 1pm at the national stadium after existing U20 and Senior national players went through their paces during training. Trials started with a welcome and introduction and Trial photo. Participants were then separated into teams, with each player taking part in at least two short games each.

“This is part of a process that will see the SLFA rolling out a detailed structured programme, which includes training modules, intensive developmental work, a scouting initiative and its elite national programme,” said Mr. Podd. “We hope Saturday’s Trial was an indication that everybody has a chance to play for the national team. And for those that didn’t quite make the cut this time, they were able to see and receive guidance on what they need to do to improve, be it fitness, technical, tactical or psychological elements of their game.”

However, for 10 talented players the dream of making the national team this year lives on. The SLFA’s technical team asked 10 players to return for a second look, where they will undertake a more rigorous evaluation. They have been asked to attend further trials, which will take place this week at Gros Islet on Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6.30pm.

TOP TEN

The talented ten are: Dyson Langellier, Emmery Edward, Dellon Joseph, Gervan Janvier, Denzel Albert, Vernon Abbott, Wayne Theodule,  Eric Gabriel, Johnta Alexander, and Kury Fedee.

Registration will open at 11:30 am and close at 12:30 pm sharp in preparation for the Trial.

All potential players should come prepared for a rigorous work out.

The trial will be under the supervision of SLFA Technical Director Ces Podd as part of his plans to identify the Island’s best footballing talent.

“We are looking for players to enable us to strengthen and progress from our current status,” said Mr. Podd. “We want players with commitment, who want to play at a high standard and represent St. Lucia well. We will push the guys hard and now have a team in place to get the best out of the players we work with. We have a sports fitness trainer and physiotherapist working with us, so we can focus effectively on the players development in every area.”

The Trial on Saturday for young men and seniors will take approximately 2 hours and will consist of several practices and drills designed to showcase the range of ability, skills, speed, and athleticism of all attendees.

Mr. Deane, a former football star with Benfica, Leeds United, Sheffield and England, will help coach local youth and look to inspire a winning mentality going forward.

“We are delighted to have Brian Deane as part of our programme,” said Ces Podd, Technical Director. “Mr. Deane knows what it takes to be a top international player and can only help. He’s more than just an inspirational figure. Brian is a budding coach and wants to help instruct the players as we begin to work with them more. He is the first of many such visitors you are likely to see on Island working with the programme.”

Mr. Deane is a cult hero in his native Yorkshire. He scored the first goal in the English Premier League for Sheffield United against Manchester United after just five minutes on August 15, 1992. In the same game he scored a second after 50 minutes from the penalty spot as Sheffield United went on to win 2-1.

While playing for Sheffield United in the early 1990s, Mr. Deane won 3 caps for England, playing against Spain in September 1992.

He left Sheffield United for Leeds United for £2.9 million in June 1993 – a record signing for Leeds and a record sale for the Sheffield club known as the Blades. He later re-signed for the Blades, though left in a shock move that saw him transferred to Benfica, where he played under the leadership of Graeme Souness. He retired at the beginning of the 2006-07 season. Mr. Deane is a Sports Consultant for Blacks Solicitors LLP in Leeds and an Ambassador for the Football World Cup 2018 England bid.

Last year Levern entered into a sponsorship agreement with telecommunications provider LIME. LIME St Lucia General Manager Sean Auguste extended the company’s congratulations to Levern. “We are exceedingly proud of Levern,” he said. “Her latest accomplishment certainly puts her in good stead.

“When we decided to sponsor Levern, it was because we had great confidence in her,” Mr. Auguste went on. “She is a world-class athlete, and beyond a shadow of a doubt the best in the Caribbean. We hope this will be just the beginning of a great season for Levern, and we at LIME wish her the best.

Levern has continued to find success on a tour of Brazil, recording two wins in the past week. In June, she will return to St Lucia for a brief visit including promotional work for LIME, before returning to the professional circuit and continuing her preparations for the Commonwealth Games in Dehli India next October.

The competition starts on June 5. The two sponsoring companies announced their plans at a press conference hosted at historic Borough Hall in Brooklyn last Thursday.

The annual CANA Netball Summer League presented by LIME, which promises to be an action-packed competition, will kick off with a street parade on Utica Avenue on Saturday, June 5. Each club will parade in their respective colours and will be judged for best dressed and best marching display.

“We are thrilled to partner with LIME for 2010. Our Tournaments have always been of the highest standard, and 2010 is expected to be even better,” says CANA’s President Cheryl Howell.

The two sponsoring organizations have come together to celebrate Caribbean communities through the sport of netball. LIME, this year’s Platinum sponsor of the Tournament, has operated in the Caribbean for over 100 years formerly as Cable & Wireless. The company is no stranger to Netball and has supported the sport at various levels across the thirteen Caribbean territories in which it currently operates.  Most recently, LIME Grenada announced its Title Sponsorship of the annual Grenada Netball Association Tournament for 2010, an event it has supported for the past 20 years.

LIME’s Chief Marketing Officer, Chris Dehring, expressed, “It feels natural for us to reach out to the Caribbean communities in Brooklyn. We have been a part of the fabric of life in the Caribbean for many years and so by extension, we must also recognize the important contribution made to our business and to life in the Caribbean in general by our Diaspora communities.”

LIME’s sponsorship of the CANA 2010 Netball Summer League and Caribbean Cup will go towards assisting in the production of the tournament, uniforms and prizes.  LIME will also provide telecommunications services for the tournament and will have its products and services available at the various games scheduled over the summer. This sponsorship comes on the heels of the company’s very successful hosting of the 39th CARIFTA Games in Grand Cayman over the Easter Weekend. The meet was televised across 26 countries in the Caribbean for the first time in its history.

LIME’s Head of Diaspora Sales, Colin Benjamin, promises a compelling offer from the company that will excite patrons and allow them to purchase the company’s products and services for themselves or for their friends and families residing in the Caribbean.

CANA is a not-for-profit organization that uses the sport of netball to provide young persons in the Central Brooklyn, NY community with an avenue for increasing self-esteem, empowerment and community involvement.

LIME is a full service telecommunications operator within the Caribbean region, and is always looking for new and innovative ways to benefit the wider Caribbean community through various

social and community based endeavors. LIME is the Platinum Sponsor and exclusive telecommunications sponsor of CANA’s 2010 Netball League and Caribbean Cup Tournament.

This latest feat by Levern should serve to motivate and inspire young people to aspire to the heights of excellence. Lavern’s achievements stand as a testimony to our nation’s youth that dignity, respect and success can be attained through sacrifice, hard work and dedication.

The Ministry of Youth & Sports has provided support to Ms. Spencer in her sporting pursuits through the National Elite Athlete Program, which is designed to make financial and technical support available to elite athletes like Lavern.

Government and all Saint Lucians continue to monitor the progress of this young Saint Lucian athlete. Our nation looks forward with great anticipation and expectation that Lavern will continue to register world class performances as she leaps to the highest heights of excellence in her sporting career.

The two sides, which will include a host of current and ex-professionals that have been influenced by Keith Alexander throughout their careers, will wear the kits of the two national sides for the game.

The Saint Lucia national team kit will feature yellow socks that Keith was renowned for wearing on the touchline, while it will also feature the Sacred Sports Foundation logo, which Keith and his family helped set up to benefit the people of St Lucia. Legendary names such as Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Paul Merson, Ray Parlour, and Des Walker will be wearing the England national team kit in memory of Keith.

The England kit meanwhile will feature the “Kick it Out” logo, another organisation that was close to Keith’s heart.

“We are honoured to be able to donate St. Lucia national team kit for Keith Alexander’s Benefit game,” said Patrick Mathurin, president of the St. Lucia Football Association.

“Keith was an inspirational figure and manager. He was in the midst of tremendous work here in St. Lucia working closely with us at the St. Lucia Football Association and his legacy lives on through his Sacred Sports Foundation,  continues to work in partnership for the development of football on the Island.”

Chairman of Lincoln City, Steff Wright said, “Keith put far more into football than he took out of the game and there is a desire within the football world to give something back to Keith’s family. There has been enthusiasm from everyone we have spoken to and I am sure it will be a fitting tribute.”

The FA’s Director of Football Development, Sir Trevor Brooking, paid his own tribute to Alexander.

“The first thing to say is that Keith was a truly genuine and decent individual,” said Brooking. “Anyone who was fortunate enough to have crossed paths with him would say that of him. “He worked hard, and applied himself to coaching and deserved all the success that came his way

Keith Alexander died suddenly on March 3rd 2010. He was a pioneer in British football, becoming the first black full-time professional manager and a UEFA pro license coach. The Sacred Sports Foundation he started in St. Lucia will continue to build a lasting legacy devoted to the development of disadvantaged youth. His legacy will live on and his spirit will continue to impact a new generation.

All six SLYC boats were out to greet the starter for the six short races planned to decide this year’s Club Champion.

Perfect conditions with winds of 10/15 knots from the East/South East provided an excellent test of skills for all contestants & a great spectacle for all spectators including those on board the “Endless Summer” catamaran.

‘Banana Wind’, crewed by a group of experienced SLYC Juniors Sailors
(Erik Matthew Simmons, Thomas Meixner, Luc Chevrier, Eduardo St Paul, Stephanie Lovel) coached by Ben Todd the Club Senior Coach showed just how well they can compete against all of the other J24 sailors, after only two days of solid training, with finishing places of:-  4; 5; 3; 2; 2; 2 to give them 3rd place overall on 18 points.

‘Unbridled’ with Lucian Olympic Sailor Mike Green at the helm proved far to good with his boat handling skills and experienced crew to finish 1st overall with finishing places of:-  1; 3; 1; 1; 3; 1 and a total of 10 points.

‘Jabal’ skippered by Nick Forsberg finished 2nd overall with finishing places of:-  3; 2; 2; 5; 1; 3 and a total of 16 points.

4th, 5th & 6th places were filled by ‘Loose Cannon’ – Edgar Roe – 21 points;  ‘Grayling’ – Frank Capers – 28 points and ‘Attitude’ – Charles Devaux – 33points.

A big Thank You for our sponsors:

IGY Rodney Bay Marina provided the 1st prize: one free lift and 7 days storage
and the  Runner up: one free lift and 3 days storage
Also Heineken, St Lucia Rum Distilleries and Delirius provided drinks & vouchers.

And also thanks to Duncan Gray, who provided the Committee boat Sephina.

Adam Foster the IGY Marina General Manager presented the trophies during the prize giving at the St Lucia Yacht Club to an enthusiastic group who had all enjoyed a wonderful day of sailboat racing on Rodney Bay.

For photos log on to  www.stluciayachtclub.com

For years, the launch of the Services Directory has been an event looked forward to by the public. Not only is it a vital source of residential and business telephone numbers and service listings, the LIME (and Cable & Wireless) Services Directories have been used to pay tribute to St Lucians who have made outstanding contributions to the country’s cultural, socioeconomic, artistic and sporting development.

Levern Spencer is the youngest St Lucian to date who has been featured on the cover. This places her in the ranks of St Lucian greats like Derek Walcott, Dame Sessene Descartes, Sir Dunstan St Omer, Barbara Cadet and Ronald Boo Hinkson whose faces have also graced the directory cover.

“Levern is the second St Lucian to be featured on a Services Directory reflecting the LIME brand. Having her on the cover is not only a tribute to her outstanding achievements, but a demonstration of faith in the ability of St Lucia’s youths to reach the top and excel,” said LIME Country Manager, Sean Auguste.

Originally from Babonneau, Levern attended Babonneau Primary, Entrepot Secondary, Albany State College and University of Georgia. Her High Jump records include the St Lucia national record and records for CARICOM, CARIFTA Games and Central American & Caribbean Senior Championships.

Several times Sportswoman of the Year for St. Lucia, she is an NCAA, CAC and NACAC champion. Levern was the only St Lucian to qualify for the 2009 IAAF World Championships in Athletics. For the 2010 indoor season she is ranked third in the Americas and second in the British Commonwealth for her event.

In recognition of her world-class athletic talent, and to help her continue her sporting career, LIME is currently providing Levern with sponsorship support.

This year, once again, the LIME Services Directory has comprehensive residential and business telephone numbers, restaurant menus, a comprehensive listing of community services, lots of informative ads, plus updates on LIME products and services.

Copies of 2010 Services Directory are available at all LIME outlets and also at credit unions and post offices.

The company has signed a one year contract with the North America Central America & Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) to become the major sponsor of next year’s games, which will be held in Cayman.

The sponsorship arrangements include a broadcast media package under which the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) will be making coverage of the games available for media outlets across the region.

Currently a major sponsor of Jamaica’s annual Inter-Secondary Schools Boys and Girls Athletics Championships, LIME sees the sponsorship of the CARIFTA Games as a means of helping to develop young athletic talent across the region.

“This is a historic sponsorship for LIME because not only are we investing in an event that is instrumental in the development of young athletes across the Caribbean but we are also ensuring that the games become visible to a wide audience across the region,” said Regional Vice President, Corporate Communications, Errol K. Miller.

“With our support CMC will be able to provide a professionally produced media sports package that will bring the next generation of Caribbean athletic super stars into the living rooms of viewers across the region,” he added.

LIME also plans to support athletes in their preparation for the games by working with NACAC to stage motivational and educational sessions.  In addition athletes participating in the games will receive sports kits containing a range of useful products and gifts from the telecoms company.

The current sponsorship agreement between LIME and NACAC covers the 2010 staging of the CARIFTA Games.  However talks are already underway for a longer term contract following next year’s meet.

Founded in 1972, the CARIFTA Games is now one of the most respected development meets on the world Track and Field Calendar.  The event, which is usually held during the Easter period, involves more than 150 events including sprints, distance races, relays and field events.  The Games has two age groups – Under 17 and Under 20 – for male and female athletes.  The meet is run entirely under International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) rules.