If things go according to plan, a Girl’s 15 and Under squad will get the opportunity of a lifetime this summer, following an invitation from a board member of the Women’s Soccer Team in Pieta, Sweden.

Every summer the town has a football tournament for youths up to the age of 15 called the Pieta Summer Games. A total of 700 teams from 20 countries are expected to take part. St Lucia may be among them.

How did this invitation come about? Turns out that in 2007, Hans Sundquist visited St Lucia by way of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC). The yacht he sailed on crossed the finish line 15 minutes before his 50th birthday. What Sundquist didn’t know was that friends back home planned something special for him upon his arrival. They surprised the former football coach by staging a series of games in his honour, against local competition on the Gros Islet Playing Field.

It turned out to be a great time for everyone involved. Judging by what transpired St Lucia captured the hearts of our Swedish visitors.

“We had a very nice time when we were here,” said Sundquist who made a return visit during the Christmas holidays. “The people were very friendly and we wanted to give something back and at the same time heighten the interest in female soccer.”

He was true to his word. An official invitation has been extended to St Lucia to attend the 2010 Summer Games in Pieta. It’s a four day competition which takes place in July. Sounds like a short period of time especially when 700 teams are involved. However, keep in mind during that month there is sunlight for 24 hours making it possible to play whatever time—day or night.

As one would expect this is a very expensive venture even with the host country willing to offset some of the cost involved. St Lucia will also have to do their part in terms of raising the required funds through sponsorship.

Jennifer Gaston, who heads a youth football program in Gros Islet and well known sports personality Joseph “Reds” Perreira, met the Swedish contingent when they arrived in St Lucia in 2007. They were delighted to renew acquaintances with Sundquist over this holiday season. This time he came by aircraft and not via the ARC.

Gaston is in the process of organizing meetings with officials, organizations, football academies, etc, who will play a very important role in making sure this opportunity of a lifetime becomes a reality. The Minister of Sports, Lenard Montoute, has already received a proposal regarding the matter.

“We will sit and look at the whole proposal and see how we can put things together,” said Gaston. “The team chosen will be representing St Lucia, so we are looking at getting the ladies who are already in training from the different football academies together.”

When it comes to finance, Gaston said “we will have to get in touch with the various businesses to see how we can get assistance to raise the required funds.”

“There is not much time. St Lucia’s deadline when it comes to competing in Sweden is the end of January.

Perreira feels St Lucia should take advantage of this wonderful opportunity which could only lead to bigger and better things.

“This competition will expose very young talent at the right age,” said Perreira. “That talent will no doubt learn a lot in Sweden. When they come back they can get involved in various clubs and eventually improve the standard of female soccer.”
Let’s hope so! Women’s soccer in St Lucia needs a boost.