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International Futbol Experiences (IFE) Launches Football Development Partnership in Dominica
Christopher Saul
Christopher Saul Identifies 16 Dominican Players for International Pathways While Introducing "Train & Play in Nature" Programme
Roseau, Dominica — June 2026 — Dominica has taken another significant step toward becoming a regional hub for sports tourism and athlete development following a successful two-week visit by Christopher Saul, Founder and Director of International Futbol Experiences (IFE).
Saul's visit focused on creating scholarship, professional and player development opportunities for Dominican footballers while introducing IFE's "Train & Play in Nature" programme—an innovative sports tourism initiative designed to attract athletes from around the world to Dominica to train, compete, recover and prepare for their upcoming seasons.
The initiative was made possible through a collaborative partnership involving Creole Heartbeat, VisitNatureDA.com, 767 Sports Club, the Dominica Olympic Committee, Atlantique View Retreat Resort, Bombers Football Club, and Black Cab Taxi Services.
As part of the visit, Saul was accompanied by two IFE footballers who trained in Dominica over the two-week period, allowing the programme to showcase the island as an ideal destination for high-performance training and recovery.
"Dominica offers something that very few places in the world can provide," said Christopher Saul. "Its natural environment, climate, terrain and peaceful atmosphere create the perfect setting for athletes to prepare physically and mentally for the demands of their competitive season. We see tremendous potential for Dominica to become a premier destination for athlete development."
Creating Opportunities for Dominican Players
Throughout his stay, Saul conducted coaching clinics, player evaluations and educational sessions with athletes and parents, emphasizing the commitment, discipline and academic standards required to secure opportunities abroad.
Working closely with Bombers Football Club, with whom IFE has established a long-term partnership, Saul also conducted football development sessions aimed at creating a structured pathway from grassroots football to college scholarships and professional opportunities.
Additional coaching sessions were held with Fond Cole FC and Harlem United FC, expanding the programme's reach to players from multiple clubs across the island.
At the conclusion of the visit, Saul identified 16 Dominican players—including several female footballers—who he believes have the potential to compete successfully at the collegiate level in the United States and, with continued development, pursue professional football opportunities in Europe.
Recognizing the importance of institutional partnerships, Saul also met with officials from the Dominica Football Association (DFA) to discuss future collaboration in creating scholarship pathways, international showcases, professional trials and overseas opportunities for Dominican players.
Discussions were also held with representatives of the Dominica Olympic Committee (DOC) on ways both organizations can collaborate in athlete development and high-performance programming while positioning Dominica as a destination for sports tourism.
The visit represents the beginning of a broader vision that combines football development, education, tourism and economic opportunity.
The Train & Play in Nature programme seeks to attract collegiate teams, professional clubs, academies and individual athletes from North America, Europe and the Caribbean to Dominica for preseason camps, training experiences and recovery programmes.
In addition to creating international opportunities for Dominican athletes, the initiative is expected to generate new business for local hotels, transportation providers, restaurants, tour operators and sports facilities, strengthening the country's growing sports tourism sector.
"This is about much more than football," organizers noted. "It is about creating educational opportunities for our young people, strengthening our national programme, expanding sports tourism and positioning Dominica as one of the Caribbean's leading destinations for athlete development."
The organizations involved have committed to continuing discussions aimed at expanding the programme and developing additional opportunities for Dominican footballers in the months ahead.
About International Futbol Experiences (IFE)
International Futbol Experiences (IFE) is an international football development organization founded by Christopher Saul that connects talented players with college scholarship opportunities, professional clubs, elite coaching and international football experiences while providing pathways that help athletes achieve success both on and off the field.