Lewis O’Loughlin, a dedicated Evesham local, turned years of hard work into an exciting opportunity when he served as Lead Performance Analyst for the Saint Lucia national football team during their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. After building a strong reputation at Cheltenham Town and playing a key role in Evesham United’s recent play-off final victory and promotion to Step 3, Lewis earned a call-up to the international stage, a testament to his growing influence in football.
Lewis’s diligent work behind the scenes was crucial to Evesham United’s promotion to the Southern League Premier Division. While working under Cheltenham Town manager Michael Flynn, Lewis’s commitment and attention to detail left a strong impression. Flynn, valuing Lewis’s contributions to the team, recommended him to his friend Nick Morgan, a former Westfields manager involved with Saint Lucia’s national team. That endorsement opened the door for Lewis to step into international football.
With a Master’s degree in Applied Performance Analysis in Sport and experience at Cheltenham Town, Hartpury University, and Evesham United, Lewis brought valuable expertise to Saint Lucia. He supported the coaching staff with match preparation during their World Cup qualifiers in Curaçao, where the team suffered a 4-0 defeat to Curaçao but secured a 2-1 win over Barbados.
Working under Saint Lucia’s manager, Stern John, a former Premier League striker known for his time at Birmingham City and Sunderland. Stern’s top-flight experience helped guide the team, and he welcomed Lewis, introducing him to Caribbean culture through local food and the island’s passion for football.
“Stern’s Premier League experience was invaluable,” Lewis said. “He made me feel part of the team and showed me what football means to Saint Lucia.”
Hitting the ground running just hours after arriving in the Caribbean, Lewis’s professionalism earned the respect of the squad. Now back in Evesham, he’s focused on helping Evesham United succeed in Step 3.
“I’m thankful to Evesham United and Cheltenham Town for their support and allowing me to take up the role ”, Lewis said. “I’ve learned a lot and want to help both clubs do well in the upcoming season.”
