Did you know Hermangild Francis represented St. Lucia in the following disciplines – cricket, football, athletics, volleyball and table tennis?
At seventeen years, whilst attending St. Mary’s College, he was selected on the national cricket team.
He toured Grenada and St. Vincent and represented St. Lucia well into his thirties.
Hermangild also captained the team in 1982/3 and that year they finished second in the Windward Islands competition.
He made his highest score of ninety- six (96) against Grenada in St. Lucia that same year; was second in the bowling averages, fourth in the batting averages and he was selected on the reserves for the Windward Islands team.
Hermangild Francis represented St. Mary’s college in the first division football team at just fourteen years old and represented the national team on a number of occasions. He played football for CYO.
VSADC, CDC and the Police; he also represented, Soufrière, la Clery and Vieux Fort at the National competitions.
The years that he represented CYO and VSADC, he was the top goal scorer in the Castries competition.
As a member of Abercrombie House at St. Mary’s college, he was taught to high jump by Luther Francois.
At college games he beat Luther and became the first St. Lucian to officially jump six (6’) feet and held the National High Jump record of 6 ft 5 inches for over twenty (20) years.
Hermangild won the only gold medal for the island in Pole Vault at the Windward Island competition in St. Lucia.
In 1972, he captained his house to a record sixth consecutive championship and was adjudged Victor Ludorum, after winning the following; High Jump, Pole Vault, Long Jump and the 100 meters.
Hermangild was a member of the CDC volleyball team which dominated volleyball in St. Lucia for over five years and he represented the National team in Barbados.
He made the national table tennis team, but never competed internationally.
He is a FIFA certified referee and has refereed matches in Barbados, St. Vincent and Grenada.
Hermangild is the founder of the Referee’s Association and became its first president.
He was also the National Cricket Association President.
Hermangild is a qualified cricket coach, having received his accreditation in Trinidad and Tobago along with Keith Charlery.
This feature runs every Tuesday and Thursday. It is written by daughter of the soil Anselma Aimable, a former agricultural officer and former correspondent for Caribbean Net News, who has a deep interest in local culture and history. Send ideas and tips to doublea@candw.lc.