BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — The St. Kitts and Nevis Football Association (SKNFA) successfully hosted a vibrant Women’s and Girls’ Football Festival on Saturday, June 6, at the National Bank Group Technical Centre, attracting nearly 70 participants for a dynamic day of football, fun, and community engagement.
Girls and women of various ages participated in a range of football activities designed to promote the growth, inclusivity, and long-term development of the women’s game across the Federation.
SKNFA Head of Women’s Football, Kalia Huggins, expressed her delight at the overwhelming turnout and the enthusiasm displayed by participants throughout the day, noting that the event revealed a significant and previously untapped interest in the sport.
“The turnout was something that, honestly, I did not expect because I didn’t realise there were so many people involved in football, or who wanted to become involved,” Huggins said.
She noted that the association intends to build on the momentum generated by the festival by combining competitive football with ongoing developmental initiatives aimed at keeping the wider community engaged.
“The next step is to focus on the President’s Cup on June 14, followed by the start of the Elvis Star Browne Women’s League,” Huggins explained. “We will also be hosting additional workshops, including an anti-doping workshop, as well as future football festivals. Even while the leagues are ongoing, we want to continue engaging not only club players but also individuals who are interested in returning to the sport.”
Inspiration from the Field
The festival also provided a valuable platform for mentorship, connecting young and aspiring players with experienced footballers and coaches.
Senior Women’s National Team player Christi-Anne Mills described the experience as both encouraging and inspiring.
“I thought the participants showed tremendous enthusiasm. They were eager to be here, eager to play, and they kept going even when things didn’t go their way on the field. Most importantly, they had fun, and that’s what it’s all about,” Mills said.
Toniecia Wyatt, coach of the Village Superstars Under-14 Girls Team and one of the festival’s technical mentors, highlighted the broader social impact of the initiative.
“I think programmes like this help empower more girls to get involved in football and demonstrate that they can excel in a sport that has traditionally been viewed as male-dominated. It’s about promoting equality and opportunity,” Wyatt stated.
A Holistic Approach to Women’s Football
The football festival served as the culmination of a comprehensive two-day programme focused on the holistic development of women’s football.
On Friday, June 5, the SKNFA partnered with the St. Kitts and Nevis Red Cross to host safeguarding and first-aid training sessions for women involved in football. The programme equipped participants with essential knowledge and practical skills to help create safer sporting environments.
Both the educational workshops and the football festival form key components of the SKNFA’s broader strategy to strengthen and expand women’s football throughout the Federation.
The weekend activities also served as an important lead-up to the highly anticipated return of domestic women’s football, with the Elvis Star Browne Women’s League scheduled to kick off later this month.
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