Legacy sponsors St. Lucia Electricity Services (LUCELEC) and Bank of Saint Lucia Limited (BOSL) are the title sponsors of the Castries Football Council (CFC) fourteenth (14th) annual LUCELEC – BOSL Castries Youth League. This tournament has become a staple on the calendar for youth programs and it is an important pillar of the development program for football clubs in the north. With the CFC’s vision of inclusivity and allowing clubs from the Saint Lucia Football Association’s (SLFA) northern zone to participate, the LUCELECBOSL Castries Youth League has become the preeminent local youth football tournament.
The tournament’s impact is clearly demonstrated by the fact that the teams which placed first, second and third in the inaugural Saint Lucia Semi Professional Football League (SPFL) were comprised mainly of players who have progressed through the various age groups of the LUCELEC – BOSL Castries Youth League and then unto semiprofessional football. The LUCELEC-BOSL Castries Youth League is not only a breeding ground for
players, but it also allows coaches to sharpen their skills by working with the youth teams from their clubs and then graduating into coaching nationally at the club and district levels.
LUCELEC and Bank of Saint Lucia have remained resolute in their support of the tournament as both organizations see the tournament as critical to the wholistic development of the young athletes. LUCELEC Corporate Communications Officer Carmy Joseph says, “The CFC youth football league continues to demonstrate its value to sports and youth development. These are two pillars of LUCELEC’s CSR thrust – to
keep youth engaged and for it to have a positive impact on them and the country we serve. This league has opened so many possibilities to its young participants including the chance to earn a living in the sport they love. We are very excited about this year’s tournament and for the youth who will be positively impacted through our continued support.”
Miss Analicia Edmunds, Corporate Communications Officer at Bank of Saint Lucia added that “at Bank of Saint Lucia, we remain deeply committed to the development of youth and sports, and the LUCELEC – BOSL Castries Youth League is a testament to that dedication. For over a decade, this tournament has nurtured young talent, providing a structured platform for aspiring footballers to hone their skills, build discipline, and
progress towards professional careers. Seeing former youth league players now excelling in the Semi Professional Football League is proof of the impact of this initiative. We are proud to continue supporting the Castries Football Council in shaping the future of Saint Lucian football and empowering our young athletes with opportunities that extend beyond the field.”
The tournament kicks off on Saturday April 5th, 2025, at the SAB Playing Facility, with an opening ceremony and march pass of participating teams. Participating teams are as follows:
Lancers FC, FC Pioneers, NYAH FC, Valley Soccer Club and VSADC from the Castries Football Council. GMC United, Monchy FC and Northern United from the Gros Islet Football League, Big Players FC and Flames United from the Marchand Football League and New Generation FC from the Babonneau Football League. The youth the teams compete in the following age groups; U10, U12, U14, U16 Girl Open and Boys U20.
A girls’ division was initially added in the last LUCELEC -BOSL Castries Youth League in 2023 and this was met with an overwhelmingly positive response. Head Coach of the CFC’s senior women’s team Trevor Daniel expressed delight that once again girls will participate in the LUCELEC -BOSL Castries Youth League and he cited the second-place finish for the CFC women’s team in the SLFA’s inter district tournament as proof that the youth tournament is a major catalyst for women’s football in Castries.
Officials from the CFC expressed gratitude to the legacy sponsors LUCELEC and BOSL for their unwavering support and stated that the league continues to provide a platform for youth players to exhibit their skills while giving coaches an opportunity to assess the development and the effectiveness of their coach programs.
Matches in the LUCELEC – BOSL Castries Youth League will be held on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am, the teams in each age group will initially compete in a round robin first leg with the top four advancing to the knockout stage. In addition to team places the youth players will compete for individual age group awards such as Golden Gloves, Golden Boots, Best Defender and Best Midfielder.
The CFC is issuing invitation to the sporting public, football fans, parents and families to come out in large numbers to support this year’s tournament.