The men behind the MAD Sports Group see a bright future for Saint Lucian footballers in the collegiate game in the United States. Daniel Fragachan and Manuel “Manu” Hernández were in Saint Lucia in early December for the inaugural Gros Islet Football League Showcase Classic. Their initial mission was talent identification.
“We’re a college placement agency in the United States,” explained Fragachan, sporting director of MSG. “We came to really scout some of the guys, hopefully help them, you know, achieve a college scholarship in the United States.
Fragachan explained that MSG’s role was to provide a bridge and opportunity for young athletes. He noted that while the agency had roots in Venezuela and Colombia, it was already established in the United States, setting it apart from others. Central to their mission, he said, was the connection between education and sport.
As an example, he pointed out that a player from Saint Lucia could earn a degree in the US by age 21 or 22. Even if football ended at that stage, as it inevitably does for everyone, the athlete would still return home with an American qualification, able to contribute to the growth and improvement of their community.
A former professional player with experience in Spain, Venezuela and Colombia, as well as a national collegiate champion with seven combined titles as a player and coach, Fragachan preaches discipline, player development and performance – qualities that led him to three consecutive national finals as a coach.
The pair were able to watch some of the top youth teams in the north of the island, including Showcase Classic Under-16 champions GMC United. Hernández, the CEO of MSG, came away impressed with the talent on display.
He cites administrative experience with clubs such as Real Madrid, PSG, Arsenal, AC Milan and Benfica on his CV.
“One of the main characteristics that we see of the [Saint Lucian] players is how athletic they are, the speed, the strength,” he offered. “That is really important. I think the tactical part is what is needed. It needs to be improved. But, definitely, the technical and physical aspects are there. The tactical is knowledge, is understanding of the game, and that’s something that the guys can learn.”
MSG is concerned with player evaluation, performance guidance, competitive pathway planning, and individualised support to ensure each athlete excels both on the field and academically. Both scouts told St. Lucia Times that they were pleasantly surprised at the level of the footballers they saw during their time on the island. They are confident that the potential is there for some of these young men to excel in the US.
“The idea is preparing for the next level, which we believe is college,” said Hernández. “We’re going to have a showcase in March in Dallas, Texas. We’re going to invite some of the guys, and we think that can definitely make a difference in order to expose them to different types of competition.
“We want to expose the U16s and U13s in international tournaments in the United States, Spain and Costa Rica to … see the difference, play against a different type of player.”
Working with the Gros Islet Football League, MSG, Fragachan, and Hernández are hopeful that they can take a group of Saint Lucians to Dallas in March to undergo further evaluation and specialised training, as well as playing against their peers from the Americas and beyond. It could be a crucial step towards earning a collegiate scholarship and ultimately a university degree.
(TF)
