Vieux Fort, Football Mourn Bellas

Long-time coach, football administrator, educator, and community activist Emmanuel Bellas passed away on Tuesday morning. St. Lucia Times reported in early October that the Vieux Fort native had been ill. He would have turned 62 in December. President of the Vieux Fort South Football League and coaching coordinator with the Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA), Bellas was one of the most successful coaches on island, guiding the Vieux Fort community team to multiple titles.  Recognised by the SLFA for multiple title wins with Vieux Fort South in recent years, Bellas had also worked with national youth and women’s teams, in addition to receiving certification as a FIFA coach instructor. Outside of football, as a physical education teacher at Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School, he helped develop the culture that had led the school to consistent success in athletics, helping mold stars like Natasha Poleon and Naomi London. Former national player Earl ‘Ball Hog’ Jean expressed his feelings on Bellas’ passing. Jean, himself now a national youth coach, shared his sentiments via WhatsApp. “My Heartfelt condolences to [Emmanulel’s son Mervin] Coco Bellas and his entire family and also the the entire football fraternity, also the teaching service,” said Jean. “The love,...