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CASTRIES, St Lucia -- St Lucia will be hosting a major international sports conference and youth forum, Sport in Black & White, between June 10 to 23. The conference has been designated as the Third Sport and the Global South Conference and is co-sponsored by Sacred Sports Foundation (St Lucia) and George Mason University's (USA) The Center for the Study of Sport & Leisure in Society (CSSLS) and Academy of International Sport.

Key elements of the gathering include the first ever College Showcase, Trials and Youth Tournament, working in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Development and Sport, St Lucia Football Association, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and the Professional Footballers Association in the UK.

The showcase will take place over the weekend of June 14-June 17, 2013. Top agents, players and officials will also gather to discuss the business of sport and link regional players with contacts around the world.

The trial is open to Caribbean youth from over 20 Islands between the ages of 16 to 20. Scouts and talent evaluators are also expected to be in attendance.

Youth that are set to complete secondary school will have the chance to meet and perform in front of coaches at junior college level. More advanced academic students will have the opportunity to showcase their talent for NAIA schools and NCAA Division I, II and III. Participants will be assigned together and "the team" will participate in the evening matches against other groups.

The sessions will be led by specialist soccer coach and St Lucia Football Association Technical Director – Cyril (Ces) Podd, a former professional player of 20 years. He is a UEFA B Licensed coach and past Leeds United advanced academy director. He has also held senior technical positions in St Vincent and the Grenadines and St Kitts and Nevis. The event will also include advanced coaching courses.

Former Arsenal player and leading PFA coaching instructor Paul Davis will be on hand and the NSCAA will be delivering an advanced special topic course, with three of its leading coach educators undertaking a three day course. All participants will become members of the NSCAA as part of the programme opening up potential employment avenues in the US.

In addition, St Lucia will also host a major U-16/U17 international soccer tournament. Two US teams have been confirmed. One leading UK team is expected to attend, alongside teams from as far afield as Europe and even Africa. Space has been left for at least four more teams. Each participating team is guaranteed at least four games between June 12 to June 19.

More details can be found at: www.sacredsportsinc.com/conference

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