High Performance Centre Head Coach and former Windward Islands and national captain John Eugene has earned a prestigious Level Four coaching accreditation—one of the highest qualifications in cricket.
Eugene confirmed that he completed the programme on Monday, April 27, through the CoachEd initiative led by internationally respected coach Gary Kirsten. He described the experience as intense, explaining that it required “20 exams… 20 assignments… and 10 modules over 12 weeks,” making it “a long and grueling” process that tested both his technical knowledge and mental endurance.
The achievement places Eugene among an elite group of coaches globally and marks a significant milestone for Saint Lucian cricket. Reflecting on the accomplishment, he described it as “a hell of an achievement,” noting the level of commitment required to reach that standard.
His journey to this point has been shaped by a steady transition from player to coach, driven by a clear sense of purpose. Eugene said his early coaching philosophy was rooted in empathy, as he sought to understand “how much I could have helped… based on my knowledge and my experience over the years,” particularly at a time when young players including his own son were beginning their development.
That approach guided his entry into coaching at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, where he started without formal accreditation. Determined to grow, he pursued the necessary training, completing foundational courses and first aid requirements before earning his Level One and Level Two certifications in Grenada.
From there, Eugene steadily built a strong coaching résumé. He worked with Saint Lucia’s Under-15 and Under-19 teams and later stepped into the regional arena as assistant coach with the Windward Islands Volcanoes, a role he viewed as a key developmental stage. He went on to secure his Cricket West Indies Level Three certification and gained international exposure with a stint in India with the Punjab Kings.
Regionally, Eugene has also been a central figure in the Saint Lucia Kings setup for the past three years, contributing to their championship-winning campaign. His work in player development has remained consistent, including coaching the West Indies A team in Saint Lucia, leading the Windward Islands Under-19 side, and serving as head coach of the Cricket High Performance Centre for nearly three years.
Now equipped with Level Four accreditation, Eugene believes the milestone represents “a transformation,” positioning him to operate in elite cricket environments across different conditions worldwide. He added that the programme also provides access to continued learning and global coaching networks, opening doors to further opportunities at the highest level.
Despite the achievement, his focus remains firmly on development. Eugene emphasised that his priority is to continue applying best practices and “helping the players as much as I can,” maintaining the same philosophy that has guided his journey from player to elite coach.
