Chaz Cepal Selected for Windward Islands U15s

One of the stars of our After School and Young Leaders projects Chaz Capel  has been rewarded for his hard work and recent good form for St. Lucia U15s with a call up to the Windward Islands U15s team, and had this to say:

“I think much thanks should be given to my Mom and Dad, my coach Alton Crafton, and the UTS coaches who ran the after school program at my school. I want to also thank the almighty for his help, protection, and guidance. I will continue to do my best with the help of God.”

Good luck Chaz from all the coaches, staff and volunteers at United Through Sport!

Rugbytots help 3 year olds into rugby

Thanks to the generous donations of Rugbytots Ltd and their coach Steve Cream, United Through Sport have been able to deliver the first ever rugby sessions to children from as young as 3 got this summer! Sessions use basic rugby specific skills to work on toddler cognitive development. Here’s young Cole from Canaries getting a feel for the ball!

United Through Sport Hosts Youth Rugby Tournament

Having hosted the inaugural event last year; United Through Sport, the St. Lucia Rugby Football Union and Micoud Youth & Sport Council came good on their promise to come back with a bigger, better event this year.

With returning teams from Micoud, Laborie, Pierrot, and Babonneau plus the additions of newly formed junior teams from Castries Comprehensive, Pierrot and Laborie, the tournament was split into U17’s and U12’s championships.

U12’s winners being Becky Hughes’ Pierrot ‘Local Heroes’ who were coached and managed by United Through Sport volunteer and England International Becky Hughes. The U17’s Championship was won by last year’s runners up Laborie RFC.

United Through Sport would like to express a wealth of gratitude to SMJ beverages for the provision of water and other drinks to the Tournament and preceeding training sessions in the aforementioned districts.

Academy Reach Finals for First Time

Our staff and volunteer coaches have been providing daily sessions in the SDA Academy in Castries during their recently concluded National school U19 post season play-offs. Under the guidance of United Through Sport coaches; Jamie Powell and Manish Patel, SDA managed to reach the finals for the first time in their history! Watched on by West Indies Captain and National icon, Darren Sammy, the team were unfortunately to lose in yesterday’s finals to Vieux Fort Comprehensive in front of live cameras and a large crowd. United Through Sport intends to continue its support of the SDA cricket programme, hoping to take the U15’s one step further.

National Development Clinic for Female Cricketers

United Through Sport Combine with St. Lucia Cricket Association in National Development Clinic for Female Cricketers

The St. Lucia Cricket Association is hosting a National Women’s Cricket Development Clinic this week, for national players and other young talented female cricketers. Our team are working alongside some of the region’s most respected coaches former players, including former West Indies Captain and Legend of Women’s Cricket Nadine George!

This two day clinic will cover all aspect of the game with the female players with technical and tactical scenarios and even media training. The United Through Sport Coaching team includes Director Joël Martin, Manish Patel, James Powell.

St Lucian Kids visit UK (TourAid)

To mark International Women’s Day, UK Sport Charity, TourAid, hosted children from disadvantaged countries around the globe to compete with each other and teams from England. St. Lucia was represented from girls from our Marchard group, who our staff and volunteers had been working with tirelessly in preparation. A week later and a boy’s team were brought over to represent St. Lucia, comprising of players from our Marchard and Laborie groups.

The tournament was designed to develop confidence, leadership and teamwork amongst less fortunate children across the world and to forge ‘lasting relationships’ with their communities and UK schools and organisations.

Both Lucian teams were accompanied on this life changing experience by United Through Sport Coaches, Elvin & Ervin Joseph, who themselves were visiting the UK for the first time. Ervin said of the experience:

“It was an unforgettable trip for all involved, particularly seeing the range of different cultures mix and learn from one another. Both teams managed two wins each but gained so much more from this trip.”

Former United Through Sport Volunteers, Scott Black and Rupert Deane, came along on the final day to cheer on the boys team on, much to their delight.

 

St. Lucia’s first ever youth rugby tournament

The St. Lucia Rugby Football Union in collaboration with the Micoud Youth and Sports Council and United Through Sport staged a historic Tag Rugby Youth Tournament on Saturday 3rd December, 2011 at the Micoud Playing Field. It was the first time in its thirty seven year history that a youth tournament has ever been played in St. Lucia which speaks volumes of how the sport has grown on the island.

The tournament featured six teams from Babonneau, Laborie, Micoud and Pierrot namely Babonneau Young Stars, Micoud Nightriders, Micoud Rising Stars, Pierrot, Laborie and St Lucia Select. Matches were played in the under – 15 and senior divisions.

The Babonneau Young Stars with 2 wins from 2 games emerged champions among the Under 15 teams, beating a well organised Pierrot team and the Micoud Rising Stars team. Micoud Nightriders, with their win against Laborie in the finals, was crowned winners among the seniors.

In an award ceremony held at the end of the competition, deserving teams/individuals were presented with trophies and medals donated by the Department of Sports. Each player was also given a bag donated by LIME. Babonneau Young Stars and Micoud Night Riders received their winners trophies and each player received a medal for his contribution to the winning team. The Pierrot team received medals for placing second in the Junior category.