A Year of Growth, A Future of Possibilities
At the start of 2023, United Through Sport Mauritius embarked on an exciting partnership with Quatre Borne Football Club, a well-established community football club with a rich history of developing young talent. The club has been a pillar of the local football scene for decades, producing players who have gone on to join elite football academies on the island. Even UTS Mauritius Country Director Darren Taylor played for the club in the early 1990s, alongside Club President Dilip, who was a player in the 70s and 80s.
Understanding the club’s crucial role in grassroots football, Darren took the initiative to bring in international volunteer football coaches, to join United Through Sport Mauritius, enhancing training sessions and providing young players with new opportunities to grow their skills.
A Legacy of Football and Community Support
“We have been supporting the community for decades and have managed to develop football talent for this region and city. I have dedicated my life to the community, and we have warmly welcomed United Through Sport Mauritius’ support. As coaches, we are getting older, and we need more young coaches at the club level. We hope to retain our talented youth and build a strong, competitive team while still providing pathways to elite football. Having international football coaches supporting us means we now have an exciting partnership to offer to our local youth players.”
Despite its strong legacy, Quatre Borne Football Club had fallen on hard times, struggling with a lack of sports equipment and coaching support. United Through Sport Mauritius stepped in to provide much-needed resources and assistance throughout 2024, ensuring that the club and its young players had the tools to succeed.
Key Contributions Throughout the Year
In March and April, international football coaches donated essential sports equipment, including footballs, cones, and bibs, after several weeks of coaching. Special thanks go to Kep Munsterman, Cas Denkers, Ties Wiemer, and Joris den Drijver for their generous contributions. Kenneth Wallace also played a significant role in coaching, bringing his expertise as a UK county-level referee.
As the year progressed, In July and August, more football coaches and sports coordinators joined the project. Euay Gray and Darcy Graham contributed second-hand football kits for training and competitions, further strengthening the club’s resources. Lead sports coordinator Charis Gray made a particularly special impact by providing goalkeeping gloves for a young, talented goalkeeper who previously had none—an unforgettable moment for the aspiring player.
“An incredible 2 months filled with sun, laughter, and plenty of sport. I learnt so much about coaching and sports development, as well as many Mauritian dance moves! I met so many phenomenal people across the island, from local coaches to government officials, all of whom shared a true passion for sport and opening it up for all young people to enjoy.”
By September, international football coaches Christian Elliott and Maxime Petite had taken on leading roles in coaching, guiding club players into local football tournaments. Their high-quality coaching sessions helped improve the team’s performance, reflecting the year-long dedication to player development.
Additionally, a significant donation of football kits was made to the club, ensuring that young players had the necessary gear to train and play. Among those was Ines, Michael, and Julie, who are featured in our team kit donation photo. Michael dedicated three months to coaching, working closely with Ines, our first dedicated female football coach, marking an important step in promoting inclusivity in Mauritian grassroots football.
A Personal Journey Comes Full Circle
In 1988, Darren Taylor himself was a young player at Quatre Borne Football Club, learning the sport under the guidance of then-coach Dilip Jaygopaul—who is now the UTS Mauritius President. Reflecting on this journey, Darren shared,
“That was me on the right-hand side of the photo, the boy with the football at my feet. On the far left, the football coach was Dilip. It’s brilliant to be supporting this football club again 37 years later and giving it the fighting chance to survive and thrive.”
Looking Ahead to 2025 – We Need You!
Your support can help us continue developing grassroots football in Mauritius. Whether through donations, sponsorships, or volunteering, you can make a lasting impact.
How You Can Help:
- Fund coaching programs to enhance training quality
- Donate equipment to support young players
- Sponsor international coaches to mentor local talent
- Join our programme as an international volunteer
- Create pathways for aspiring footballers
Every contribution, big or small, strengthens our mission. Get involved today and help shape the future of football in Mauritius!
