Published 9 January 2024
St Kitts, Basseterre,
Buckie Got It Media Source
A Declaration for the Future of Football in St. Kitts and Nevis by President Atiba Harris
Editor’s note: The following is an open letter by President of the SKNFA Atiba Harris to member clubs.
Dear Member Clubs,
Over the last four years, the St. Kitts and Nevis Football Association (SKNFA) has
embarked on a transformative journey under my stewardship as President. Together, we
have redefined what football can achieve, elevating our players, clubs, and the beautiful
game to unprecedented heights. Today, I am honored to announce my candidacy for
re-election as President of the SKNFA. I am joined by a dedicated team, including First Vice
President Shawn White, Second Vice President Cuthbert Caines, and Ordinary Members
Javeim Blanchette, Sheila Patricia Claxton, Phill Cooper, and Alleyne Morris. Together, we
present a progressive vision that not only celebrates our collective achievements but also
sets a bold agenda for the next four years.
Some Achievements Over the Past Four Years
Under my leadership, the SKNFA has witnessed significant advancements:
1. Infrastructure Development
Completion of the state-of-the-art playing surface at the Technical Center. Completed the modern floodlights at the artificial turf field at the Technical Center. Installed a 750KVA Transformer at the Technical Center to power the administrative building, floodlights, and all other future developments. Installed a 625KVA Generator to provide backup power for the entire facility at the Technical Center. Constructed a modern public restroom facility for fans at the Technical Center. Constructed stairs at the Technical Center to connect both facilities to satisfy FIFA’s requirement of having two standard-size football pitches at the Technical Center (grass and artificial turf). Installed modern floodlights at the grass pitch for the Technical Center to complete the vision Repaired the floodlights at Warner Park Football Stadium.
2. Player Development
Launch of a national elite youth academy to nurture young talent (male and female) Provided support for clubs to establish their own academies so that players could easily transition to the national program Establishing professional pathways for our players by inviting scouts to visit our shores and providing a platform for our players to be seen via FIFA Plus, YouTube, and other social media platforms. Developed strong relationships with professional clubs that have already started bearing fruits, with several players set to embark on professional trials starting January 2025 in Europe.
3. Financial Accountability
Implementation of transparent governance policies. Presented Audited Financial Statements and Budgets on time every year Historical increase in members’ assistance program, with each member of SKNFA having access to up to $25,000 annually. Over 1.5 million were paid out under our Members Assistance Program. A tangible investment geared towards developing our Member Clubs and their players. National Senior Men Team Players received the entire prize money of USD 100,000 (EC270,000) from the historic Gold Cup Qualification in addition to match fees. Notable Increase in monetary awards to players in local leagues, with Premier Division Regular Season MVP receiving $10,000 while Division One and Women’s League MVPs receiving $5000 and $2000, respectively. Monetary award for individual awards across all local Senior competitions and player of the month. Successful acquisition of long-term corporate sponsorships and forging strategic partnerships with entities across the private sector to further bolster the financial viability of our programs.
4. Women’s Football
Introduction of a structured Women’s League. Empowering female athletes and providing international exposure. Established the first u12 girls league to encourage development from an earlier age. All girls grassroots development camps. Revamped National Women’s Team Program.
5. Community Engagement
Expanding grassroots programs through clubs and academies to bring football to every community. Enhanced partnerships with schools to integrate football into educational curriculums. Launched Football For Schools in Nevis, which provided greater assistance for our schools through capacity-building exercises for teachers, coaches, and student athletes.
6. Regional and International Success
Historic achievements in regional competitions, raising our global profile. A historical number of our match officials continue to get appointed to FIFA, CONCACAF and CFU tournaments. Hosting many international friendlies and tournaments, positioning the Federation as a football hub. Hosted the Concacaf Caribbean Club Shield for the first time in the country’s history Qualified for the Concacaf Gold Cup for the first time in the country’s history. Vision and Goals for the Next Four Years As we look ahead, my commitment is to deepen the impact of football in St. Kitts and Nevis by:
1. Further Infrastructure Expansion
Construction of a national football stadium, showcasing our commitment to the global game. Installation of more artificial pitches to enable year-round play. Provide fencing, lighting and changing rooms for a number of facilities around the country.
2. Professional League Development
Elevating the SKN Premier League to professional standard. Introducing performance-based incentives for clubs to improve competitiveness. Revenue sharing of gate receipts so that clubs could provide players and staff with a stipend. Encourage all clubs to host home matches to generate additional income for their youth programs.
3. Youth Empowerment
Expanding youth academies to include advanced coaching and sports science. Launching a “Future Stars” initiative to identify and develop talent from a younger age. Increase youth competitions for both boys and girls.
4. Inclusivity in Football
Strengthen Coaching Education. Complete the Concacaf Coaching Convention so that our coaches can access more opportunities with their coaching certification. Internship for coaches at professional clubs. Create a unified forum for our licensed coaches to meet and exchange strategic and theoretical ideas to help chart our technical trajectory over the next 4 years. Establishing programs for differently-abled athletes to participate in football. Increasing funding and resources for women’s football, aiming for regional dominance.
5. Enhanced Regional Integration
Building stronger alliances with Caribbean football associations to create more opportunities for players and coaches. Advocating for greater representation of St. Kitts and Nevis in CONCACAF and FIFA initiatives.
6. Digital Transformation
Introducing a digital platform for player statistics, match analysis, and fan engagement. Leveraging technology to improve officiating and game management.
7. Sustainability and Community Impact
Prioritizing environmentally friendly practices in football development. Strengthening community outreach programs to make football a tool for social change. This is not my vision—it is our vision. Football is more than a sport; it is a unifying force that transcends barriers and builds national pride. With your continued support, we can take St. Kitts and Nevis football to even greater heights. Let us unite under the banner of “One Goal, One Vision” and make the next four years even more impactful. Together, we can advance football, empower our athletes, and inspire future generations.
