Grassroots football club in Beau Vallon receive boost from local support |21 March 2026

Mr Francis handing the cheque for R5,000 to a young player (Photo: Contributed)

Raga Football Club received a welcome boost on Friday with a donation of R5,000 from local businessman Maarco Francis.

The contribution was received by Dereck Forte, founder and coach of the Beau Vallon-based club. Forte has spent the past 24 years dedicated to developing young football talent within the community.

Over the years, Mr Forte has trained players who have gone on to represent Seychelles at national level, an achievement he attributes to consistency, discipline, and perseverance. Despite limited resources, he continues to train children of all ages, offering them both sporting opportunity and personal development.

“This donation will go a long way,” Mr Forte said. “I am very grateful for the support. In many cases, I cover the costs of training and equipment myself, so contributions like this make a meaningful difference.”

He also highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by small, community-based clubs, noting that while Beau Vallon presents many opportunities, consistent support from sponsors and institutions remains limited.

“There is a lot of potential for businesses and the wider community to get involved, but that kind of support is not always there,” he added.

Mr Francis, who describes himself as a strong supporter of football, said he was pleased to contribute to an initiative focused on youth development.

“Young people are an important part of our communities, and initiatives like this play a valuable role in keeping them engaged and active,” he said. “Grassroots clubs often operate with limited resources, so any support can have a real impact.”

His comments reflect a broader recognition of the role that community-driven sports programmes play in youth development and social cohesion, an area also highlighted in national development discussions, including the need for greater support and investment in local sports structures. 

As Raga Football Club continue their work, both Mr Forte and Mr Francis expressed hope that the contribution will encourage greater community involvement and sustained support for grassroots sports initiatives across Seychelles.

Contributed