PHILIPSBURG:--- The National Sports Institute (NSI) and the St. Maarten Sports Federation (SMSF), in collaboration with the Cruyff Foundation of the Netherlands, are proud to announce the launch of the Heroes of the Cruyff Courts project on St. Maarten. The Cruyff Foundation helps children stay active, not just physically, but mentally as well. The program was developed to meet both of these needs, using sport as a tool to build confidence, strengthen life skills, and foster community pride among youth. This innovative program aims to foster community engagement and youth empowerment through five sports: Athletics, Boxing, Football, Netball, and Tennis. The project will see professional coaches working directly within local communities to identify young "heroes" and nurture their talent. Coaches will guide groups of 6 to 10 young individuals, aged 14 to 21, selected from communities across St. Maarten. These young participants, our “heroes,” will take the lead in organizing fun and inclusive sports events for children in their own neighborhoods. With support and mentorship from their Cruyff Foundation Coaches, they will develop valuable life skills, including teamwork, leadership, communication, planning, and responsibility. Upon completion of their event, each hero will be awarded a certificate in recognition of their commitment, effort, and positive contribution to their community. More than just an event, this experience is designed to help young people discover their potential and become long-term role models and changemakers within their environment. “The Heroes of the Cruyff Courts project reflects our collective belief in the transformative power of sport and our shared commitment to youth development. Beyond individual growth, it strengthens the local sports sector by increasing youth involvement and leadership, while fostering a deeper sense of pride, ownership, and connection among St. Maarten’s youth. At SMSF, we see sport as a powerful tool to address health and social challenges. Young people hold the imagination, innovation, and voice to create lasting change. Through this initiative, we’re supporting a culture where sport can truly thrive - from grassroots to elite levels - while building leadership, resilience, and stronger communities,” said Naomi Korstanje, President of the St. Maarten Sports Federation. “By equipping young people with the tools to lead and inspire, we are helping to shape a stronger, more connected, and resilient St. Maarten,” said Jacky Browne, Sports Coordinator of NSI. We look forward to the lasting impact this initiative will bring and warmly invite all members of the community to support, encourage, and take part in this inspiring project.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The construction of St Maarten’s new Mental Health Facility is now secured after the Government of Sint Maarten and the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) signed an $8 million agreement on Wednesday, June 18.

The agreement was signed by NRPB Director Claret Connor and, on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten, the Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina. The process was overseen by Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs and Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) Richinel Brug.

A total of $14 million US Dollars has been secured to develop the facility, covering all expenses from design to construction, landscaping, furniture, equipment, and project management. This includes $6 million from the Mental Health Project (MHP) under the Sint Maarten Trust Fund. With this agreement, the Government has secured the necessary $8 million in US Dollars as counterpart funding to ensure the construction of the new mental health facility can proceed.

Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina called the signing an important moment for the country.
“We’ve made a promise to improve mental health care, and today we’ve taken a big step toward keeping that promise. This project moves us forward as a government that is delivering for the future of care on our island. This agreement took careful coordination, and it shows how committed we are to seeing this facility built. The financial backing is now in place, and the work can move ahead. We’ve been talking about a new mental health facility for a long time. Now we have the funding to make it happen. This shows that when we say mental health is a priority, we mean it.”

 In addition to the construction of the new mental health facility, MHP focuses on sector improvement in three main areas. These areas are in support of the Ministry of VSA’s goals to expand access to care, improve governance, and promote mental health at the community level.  MHP aims to strengthen services through improved coordination and training, raise awareness, and reduce stigma associated with mental health in Sint Maarten.

The new facility will be situated in St. John's and will be managed and operated by the Mental Health Foundation. Services set to be offered at the new facility include admission, outpatient, day care, short,t and long stays. The facility will be multifunctional for other activities like group sessions and community activities.  

The new facility is now being designed, and the NRPB and the Government of Sint Maarten expect to organize public consultations on the draft design in the coming months. Upon completion of the design and the receipt of necessary permits, the design will be tendered for construction, with construction expected to start in the first half of 2026.

NRPB Director Claret Connor welcomed the signing and what it signals for the next stage of the project. “With this milestone, we can now focus fully on delivering the facility. The NRPB is proud to support the government in making this long-awaited improvement to mental health care a reality.”

The Mental Health Project is being implemented by the NRPB and VSA on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten. The project is funded by the Trust Fund which is financed by the Government of the Netherlands and managed by the World Bank.

For more information about the Mental Health Project please visit www.nrpbsxm.org/mentalhealth

PHILIPSBURG:---  Five inmates have been arrested as suspects in the ongoing investigation into the fire that broke out at Pointe Blanche Prison on May 14, 2025.

The five individuals were questioned on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at the Philipsburg Police Station in connection with the incident. Following their hearing, the suspects were returned to Pointe Blanche Prison to continue serving their existing sentences while the fire investigation continues.

The fire occurred during a disturbance in the prison, where inmates refused to return to their cells. Emergency services—including the police, fire department, and military support—were deployed to contain the situation. The fire was brought under control the same evening, and no fatalities were reported.

Following the incident, some inmates were relocated temporarily to ensure safety, and assessments of the facility began almost immediately. The Ministry of Justice has since confirmed efforts to repair damages and restore normal operations at the prison.

The investigation is being led by the police under the direction of the Prosecutor’s Office. The authorities continue to assess evidence and conduct interviews to determine who is criminally responsible for the fire.

The Prosecutor’s Office emphasized that the suspects will remain in custody, and no further details will be disclosed at this time to avoid interfering with the investigation.

THE NETHERLANDS (THE HAGUE):--- Recently, Minister Plenipotentiary Drs. Gracita R. Arrindell welcomed Dr. Ann Derwin, the Irish Ambassador to the Netherlands.

Derwin is the 15th Ambassador to the Netherlands, at a time when more than 50 percent of Irish diplomatic missions around the world are led by women.

Ambassador Derwin extended a visit to Minister Plenipotentiary, Drs. Gracita R. Arrindell, and during her visit the Ambassador highlighted the warm and dynamic relationship between Ireland and Sint Maarten. This sentiment was echoed in her conversation with Minister Arrindell.

The meeting focused on potential areas for collaboration in the future, particularly in the fields of food security, educational exchange, and tourism market access.

The agri-food sector is Ireland’s oldest and largest indigenous exporting sector. In 2020, the sector accounted for over 6% of GNI (Gross National Income) and 9% of exports in terms of value. The sector accounts for 38% of total indigenous exports and over 60% of indigenous manufactured exports. The sector employed 163,600 people or 7.1% of total employment in 2020; outside of Dublin and the mid-east region, the sector provides between 10% and 14% of employment.

There are 137,500 farms producing over €8.2 billion in output, and over 2,000 fishing vessels and aquaculture sites producing fish with a value of €700 million. In Ireland, agri-food is an integral part of the economy and society, and especially so for the rural and coastal communities.

Opportunities were explored to expand student exchange initiatives, such as those available through the European Union (EU) Erasmus Programme.

In addition, the Ambassador highlighted Ireland’s vast expertise in the cultivation of potatoes and the embassy’s willingness to explore opportunities for knowledge exchange on this subject.

Ireland and the Netherlands have enjoyed diplomatic ties since 1945, and the embassy was opened in The Hague in 1950 when Josephine McNeill – the first female diplomat to represent Ireland abroad in a Ministerial capacity – presented her credentials to Her Majesty Queen Juliana.