The Saint Lucia Semi-Professional Football
League made some announcements on Thursday
updating the media on developments and strides
in enhancing football on the island since the
launch of the League.
Minister responsible for Youth Development and
Sports, Hon. Kenson Casimir emphasized that the
players were not just being compensated for their
participation in the League, but also for the
additional skills they will acquire for their overall
development.
During the media briefing, Prime Minister and
Minister for Finance, Hon. Philip J Pierre,
Contact: Michael Pierre,
Events & Competition Officer
Saint Lucia Football Association
La Clery, Castries, Saint Lucia
commented on the significant role the League is
playing in transforming lives. He reiterated the
government’s commitment to funding the semi-
pro league and providing additional funds for its
promotion and marketing.
According to the Hon. Prime Minister, our
nation’s youth and aspiring footballers will gain
access to new opportunities to develop their
skills and talents and get a legitimate shot at
going pro!
The government is committing more than $1
million to support the SPFL. The SPFL season
spans seven months. Each Tier 1 team can earn
a maximum of $13,190 monthly during the
season!
Saint Lucia’s first Semi-Professional Football
League will strengthen the local economy by
creating new business linkages and employment
opportunities in coaching, team management,
media and broadcasting and playing field
maintenance.
President of the Saint Lucia Football Association,
Lyndon Cooper, pledged full support for the
League, describing it as a regional case study for
semi-professional football development. Cooper
emphasized his Association’s continued focus on
developing football at all levels in Saint Lucia.
The President gave an overview of the
programmes undertaken by his organisation,
while at the same highlighting the importance of
the successful Concacaf Match Commissioner’s
Workshop which concluded last weekend.
President Cooper also commended the
Government of St. Lucia and by extension the
Prime Minister of St. Lucia and Minister of
Finance Hon. Phillip J. Pierre for their unwavering
support towards the development of football on
the island. He also thanked him for his insight in
his full fledge support towards the SPFL.
Mr. Ryan Desir Assistant Coach of the Central
Castries team, speaking on behalf of his
organisation and the rest of the participating
teams, herald the initiative taken in getting the
SPFL on stream.
This he said has served as a catalyst in improving
discipline, and has served as motivation for
players to want to come out to train on regular
basis and perform.
He thanked both the Government of St. Lucia and
the SLFA Inc. for the timely initiative while at the
same time pledging full support.
CEO of the Saint Lucia Semi-Professional
Football League, Francis Daniel, emphasized the
impactful inauguration of the League on everyone
involved and its potential for the country’s
development.
The SPFL was officially launched in January
- SPFL matches kicked off in March 2024.
The payment of salaries and training allowances
to players commenced in May 2024.
The Semi-Professional Football League is a
collaboration between the Ministry of Youth
Development and Sports and the Saint Lucia
Football Association.
The Day’s proceedings was chaired by Ms.
Cherry Ann Williams who welcomed everyone,
while Acting Permanent Secretary and
Chairperson of the SPFL Board of Directors
delivered the opening remarks
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