BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — The St. Kitts and Nevis Football Association (SKNFA), in partnership with the St. Kitts and Nevis Red Cross, recently hosted an intensive Safeguarding and First Aid Training session on Friday, June 5, 2026. The initiative provided women involved in football across the Federation with essential knowledge and practical skills aimed at ensuring player safety and well-being.
The training brought together a diverse group of coaches, players, team officials, and stakeholders. The session focused on equipping these leaders with the tools needed to create safer sporting environments and improve emergency response protocols both on and off the field.
Vercelette Molyneaux, facilitator from the St. Kitts and Nevis Red Cross, emphasized that first aid extends beyond physical treatment to include emotional support during a crisis.
“First aid is immediate help provided to a sick or injured person until professional medical assistance arrives. It is concerned not only with physical injuries or illnesses, but also with psychosocial support. Some persons, when they are involved in accidents—or even witness them—experience a flood of emotions,” Molyneaux explained.
HANDS-ON PREPAREDNESS AND LEADERSHIP
The workshop moved beyond theory by engaging participants in rigorous practical exercises. Attendees received hands-on instruction in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and other life-saving techniques critical for match-day emergencies.
SKNFA Technical Director Giba Damiano also addressed the session, linking medical preparedness to the broader responsibility of leadership within the sport. He challenged coaches and administrators to foster inclusive and supportive environments for the next generation of female athletes.
“When we talk about coaches, there are three things we need to consider. One is leadership. We must ensure that we address how a leader should behave, because there are both good leaders and bad leaders,” Damiano noted.
BUILDING A STRONGER FOUNDATION FOR 2026
Kalia Huggins, Head of Women’s Football at the SKNFA, expressed gratitude to the participants and encouraged them to remain active pillars in the continued development of the women’s game.
This safeguarding workshop formed a cornerstone of a weekend-long developmental programme designed to strengthen the foundation of women’s football. These efforts serve as the final preparation phase for the highly anticipated 2026 Elvis Star Browne Women’s League, which is scheduled to kick off later this month.