St. Kitts and Nevis is set to see a significant boost in the quality of youth football coaching with the certification of 39 new coaches through the SKNFA Youth Coaches Training Program. In a ceremony held recently at the NBGC Technical Center in St. Peters, these coaches officially received their certificates, marking the completion of an intensive course designed to elevate the standard of coaching at the youth level.
SKNFA Technical Director Lenny Taylor, who played a pivotal role in the training, commended the newly certified coaches for their commitment and encouraged them to continue expanding their knowledge. "In coaching, as soon as you get cocky that you know it, that’s when you are going to hit your toe and fall on your face. It’s learning, learning, and more learning…get as much information as you can," Taylor advised. He emphasized that the ultimate beneficiaries of this education are the youth, who will now be guided not just to play the game, but to truly understand it.
The ceremony was also graced by SKNFA General Secretary Techell McClean, who spoke on behalf of SKNFA President Atiba Harris. She urged the coaches to take full advantage of the opportunities provided by the SKNFA to further their coaching education. "All coaches a part of the Concacaf region are to be certified," McClean said, noting that each league requires a certain level of coaching licenses. She reminded the coaches that the technical director remains available to assist those interested in advancing their qualifications.
The 39 newly certified coaches are a diverse group, each bringing their unique passion and skills to the field. Among them, Jhevon Hendrickson, Nequan Browne, and Jacquan Hazel were recognized for their outstanding dedication throughout the course. Tyquan Terrell and Shamaar Joseph demonstrated exceptional understanding of youth football dynamics, while Xalif Chapman and Jahmal Pitt were noted for their tactical acumen.
Chevaun Matthew and Hakeem Huggins, along with De’Ashaan Hewlett and D’Jaun Warner, showed promise in developing strategic play among young athletes. Kaven Williams and Kassie Mardenborough, along with Yusuf Saunders and Alister Tuckett, are expected to contribute significantly to the youth football landscape with their fresh perspectives.
Vinceroy Nelson and Kimlon Maynard, alongside Glenroy Buchanan and Ziquan Dorsett, were praised for their leadership qualities, which will be crucial in guiding young footballers. Other notable coaches include Calvert Dixon and Shakquan Hodge, who are set to make impactful contributions to their teams.
The certification of these coaches represents a broader effort by the SKNFA to raise the standard of football in St. Kitts and Nevis, starting at the grassroots level. With the formal recognition of their skills, coaches like Clifford Brown, John Rowlands, and Sheldon Richards are now better equipped to foster the next generation of football talent in the nation.
As the new coaches like Edward Henry, Lance Lewis, and Lydia Liburd begin their journey, they are joined by other promising individuals such as Dante Mardenborough, Shamika Caines, and Cedric Anthony. The group also includes Harold Wharton, Abasti Tyrell, and Shaquille Barzey, who are expected to lead by example in their respective communities.
The certification ceremony was a proud moment for coaches like Julan Gordon, Deshaun Francis, and Jemari Trotman, who are eager to implement their newfound knowledge on the field. Antonius Archibald, MervonJae Pemberton, and Zajah Isaac round out the group of committed coaches ready to make a lasting impact on youth football in St. Kitts and Nevis.
With these 39 newly certified coaches, the future of football in St. Kitts and Nevis looks brighter than ever. Their contributions are anticipated to not only improve the standard of play but also to inspire a new generation of footballers to achieve greatness on and off the pitch.
Hurtig the hero after late goal sends Arsenal into Champions League quarters
Lina Hurtig's 89th minute winner ensured Arsenal progressed to the quarter-finals of the Women's Champions League after edging Juventus 1-0 on Thursday.
After being frustrated for large parts of the encounter, Hurtig bundled home from close range after Martina Lenzini's poor clearance to book the Gunners' place in the last eight.
Despite Arsenal dominating the early exchanges, it was Juventus who had the first sight of goal, though Eva Schatzer's effort was easy for Daphne van Domselaar to gather.
In a first half that saw just two shots on target, both coming from the visitors, Renee Slegers' substitutes proved to be the difference for Arsenal.
Slegers introduced Beth Mead, Stina Blackstenius and Hurtig late on, with the latter somehow putting Kim Little's cross over the bar from five yards out.
However, the Swede would atone for her earlier error, combining with fellow substitute Blackstenius to net against her former club and send them out of the competition with two group games remaining.
Meanwhile, in Group D, Barcelona edged closer to the quarter-finals of the competition with a convincing 4-1 victory over St. Polten at the Generali Arena.
The reigning champions are still three points behind Manchester City following their 2-1 win over Hammarby, and know a win against the Swedes next month will see them progress.
Kika Nazareth opened the scoring in the 20th minute after capitalising on a mistake by Kamila Dubcova, notching her second nine minutes later from close range.
Barca found themselves three goals up at the break when Vicky Lopez netted her first goal in the competition to put the result beyond doubt.
There was also a landmark moment for Alexia Putellas, who netted her 200th goal for the club with a well-taken effort into the far corner.
Valentina Madl took some of the shine off an otherwise impressive display from the visitors, who have now taken their tally to 20 goals from their four matches in the competition.
Guardiola agrees two-year contract extension with Man City
Pep Guardiola will be Manchester City manager for at least two more seasons after 2024-25, after he signed a two-year contract extension on Thursday.
The 53-year-old was coming to the end of his City deal, which was due to expire at the end of the current campaign, but he has opted to remain at the Etihad Stadium.
The deal itself will take Guardiola's tenure at the club to over a decade, making him City's longest-serving manager since Les McDowall in 1963.
There had been suggestions that he may leave at the end of the season following the announcement that director of football Txiki Begiristain was on his way out.
Guardiola was strongly linked with the England job after Gareth Southgate resigned in the wake of their Euro 2024 final defeat, but the Football Association appointed Thomas Tuchel last month.
“Manchester City means so much to me," Guardiola said. “This is my ninth season here; we have experienced so many amazing times together. I have a really special feeling for this football club.
“That is why I am so happy to be staying for another two more seasons.
“Thank you to everyone for continuing to trust and support me – The Owner, The Chairman Khaldoon, Ferran, Txiki, the players and, of course, the fans… everyone connected to Manchester City. It has always been an honour, a pleasure and a privilege to be here.
“I have said this many times before, but I have everything a manager could ever wish for, and I appreciate that so much.
“Hopefully, now we can add more trophies to the ones we have already won. That will be my focus.”
Having been appointed in 2016, Guardiola is by some distance Manchester City's most successful manager of all time, having won 18 major trophies during his time at the club.
That list includes their first-ever Champions League triumph in 2023 and six Premier League titles, including an unprecedented four on the spin.
He also boasts a 72.04% win percentage across all competitions, which is unsurprisingly the highest of any full-time City manager in history.
Shaw at the double as Man City progress in Champions League
Khadija Shaw scored twice as Manchester City beat Hammarby 2-1 to seal their place in the Women's Champions League quarter-finals.
Gareth Taylor's team entered Thursday's game with a perfect record in Group D, and their fourth win in as many European matches ensured they finished in the top two.
Shaw—the leading scorer in the Women's Super League this season with eight goals—put them ahead in the 31st minute, driving into the area after taking in Yui Hasegawa's pass before seeing her shot deflect into the top corner.
Shaw was booked for celebrating in front of the home fans despite appearing to have objects thrown at her from the stands, and Hammarby should have levelled when Julia Blakstad fired wide 10 minutes later.
The hosts did draw level three minutes into the second half as Ellen Wangerheim tapped home while City's Laura Blindkilde Brown was down appealing for a free-kick.
That parity was short-lived, though, as Shaw blasted into the top corner from 25 yards out, taking her overall tally for this season to 12 goals in all competitions.
In Group C, meanwhile, Bayern Munich lost their perfect record as they played out a 1-1 draw with Valerenga, boosting Arsenal's hopes of topping the pile.
Jovana Damnjanovic came off the bench to put Bayern ahead 15 minutes from time in Norway, but Elise Thorsnes headed home following an 88th-minute corner to snatch a point for the hosts.
Arsenal could now move within a point of Bayern when they face Juventus in Group C's other match later on Thursday.
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