PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Sports Federation (SMSF) and the National Sports Institute (NSI) officially launched a new initiative, Sport Unites!, on Friday, September 26, 2025, at the Melford Hazel Sports Complex.
The event marked the start of a one-year pilot program aimed at empowering youth through sports, mentorship, and community engagement. The launch was attended by key government representatives, including the Honorable Minister of Justice, Nathalie Tackling, and Marvio Cooks, representing the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport (ECYS), underscoring the program’s national importance and cross-ministerial relevance. Sport Unites! was born from a funding proposal submitted to Samenwerkende Fondsen in November 2024, with the vision to use sport as a vehicle for youth empowerment, holistic development, and social development.
The initiative responds to growing concerns highlighted in the Child Monitor Survey (Stichting EGO, 2024) regarding the need to engage young people on Sint Maarten meaningfully. “Sport can be a powerful tool for uniting people, building resilience, and fostering national pride,” said Naomi Korstanje, President of SMSF. “With the rise in youth crime, non-communicable diseases, and poverty, we must recognize sport’s role as part of the solution.” The Sport Unites! program will support 15 dedicated coaches across five sporting disciplines - volleyball, basketball, netball, tennis, and boxing, through partnerships with seven community and youth driven organizations: St. Maarten Boxing Federation, St. Maarten Netball Association, Performance Sports Academy (PSA), SP Ballers, AYM Eagles, Tim Tennis Club, Robbie Stars Basketball, and Dynamic Sporting Club.
These clubs were carefully selected for their strong track record and commitment to youth development, going beyond physical training to foster personal growth, discipline, and community engagement among our youth. Recognizing the heavy volunteer demands often placed on coaches, Sport Unites! will provide stipends to participating coaches - acknowledging their dual roles as mentors and community leaders. Coaches also received materials and equipment during the launch to begin implementation immediately.
The evening featured live demonstrations in tennis, netball, and boxing, alongside moving testimonials from local athletes. Boxer Jamar shared how sport helped transform his life, while SP Ballers’ Martel and Daniel spoke about the journey of building a successful community basketball program from scratch in St. Peters. A cornerstone of Sport Unites! is its mentorship component, delivered in partnership with A Fresh Start Foundation. The foundation will lead sessions aimed at developing life skills, promoting positive mental health, and equipping young athletes with the tools to navigate life’s challenges. NSI Director Jisk Goslinga addressed the audience, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and data-driven results. “It is essential that we monitor the impact of this program so we can grow it strategically and ensure it truly serves our youth.
NSI and SMSF will handle the administrative coordination and financial management so our coaches can focus fully on their work with the youth.” Program Coordinator Jacky Brown emphasized the critical importance of creating a clear structure around the program, as the program’s implementation will be monitored by working closely with coaches throughout its execution. This hands-on approach will not only support effective data collection but also help identify areas for improvement, ensuring the program evolves to meet better the needs of the youth it serves.
The program is made possible through the financial support of Samenwerkende Fondsen, with funding from Oranje Fonds and Kinderpostzegels. Fleur Hermanides from Samenwerkende Fondsen played a key role in guiding the SMSF and NSI through the grant process. Additional support comes from the Department of Sport within the Ministry of ECYS, which contributes funding for grassroots sports development as well as the appointment of a dedicated program coordinator. The private sector has also supported through Blue Waters (Kangroos Wholesale), who committed to supplying water for Sport Unites! Events and sessions, and the Sports Gallery, which provided branded shirts for the coaches.
Looking ahead, NSI and SMSF hope to expand Sport Unites! Into a long-term program, opening opportunities for additional sports and greater youth participation. Organizers called on community members, private sector partners, and government stakeholders to support the initiative.
“This is only the beginning,” said Korstanje. “If we want to see true, lasting change, we need everyone at the table - because sport really can unite us.”
For more information or to get involved, contact: Jacky Brown – Program coordinator: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.