GREAT BAY--The National Sports Institute (NSI) is placing increasing emphasis on using sports as a tool for youth development, social inclusion and community empowerment, with programs designed to help young people develop discipline, responsibility, leadership skills and positive relationships while providing alternatives to negative influences.
NSI Director Jisk Goslinga, speaking during an interview on theKnow Your Sports, St. Martinprogram, explained that the organization's vision extends well beyond maintaining sporting facilities and developing competitive athletes. He emphasized that sports can play an important role in addressing social challenges, particularly among vulnerable young people who may lack access to structured recreational activities and positive mentorship.
Goslinga outlined several initiatives being implemented in collaboration with the St. Martin Sports Federation and community sporting organizations, including the Sports Unites program, which combines physical activity with personal development and social education.
The initiative targets children and young people, particularly those from vulnerable communities, using organized sports to encourage accountability, respect, teamwork, self-confidence and responsible decision-making.
Rather than concentrating exclusively on athletic performance, the program seeks to help participants develop life skills that can positively influence their behavior at school, at home and within their communities.
Goslinga explained that participating coaches receive specialized training in youth development and empowerment, equipping them to provide guidance and mentorship beyond conventional sporting instruction.
The program includes activities in basketball, boxing, netball, tennis and athletics, with participating community organizations providing opportunities for young people to become involved at no cost.
The NSI director emphasized that accessibility is a central feature of the initiative, particularly for children whose families may not have the financial means to enroll them in organized sporting activities.
St. Peters Basketball Program Showing Positive Results
As an example of how structured sporting activities can influence young people, Goslinga highlighted the St. Peters Ballers basketball initiative, which operates within the Sports Unites program.
He explained that organized basketball activities had been limited in St. Peters before the initiative began approximately two years earlier.
Through the program, young people who previously spent time around the community court without participating in structured activities were brought into an organized basketball environment where they could receive coaching, guidance and mentorship.
According to Goslinga, feedback from the program indicates that participating children have demonstrated positive personal development, particularly those who previously lacked consistent structure or were exposed to negative influences.
He acknowledged that not every participant responds in the same way, but said the experience demonstrates how regular sporting activities can provide young people with direction, a sense of belonging and something constructive to look forward to.
The initiative also illustrates how community sporting facilities can serve purposes beyond recreation, becoming spaces for mentorship, social interaction and positive youth engagement.
Developing Young Leaders Through Cruyff Court Heroes
Another initiative highlighted by Goslinga is the Cruyff Court Heroes project, which takes youth development a step further by giving participants responsibility for organizing their own sporting activities and community events.
Under the program, small groups of young people are selected and guided by a coach through the process of planning and executing an event.
Participants learn practical skills such as preparing budgets, designing promotional materials, communicating with organizations, arranging facility bookings and managing the responsibilities associated with organizing activities.
Rather than having coaches handle these tasks, the young participants are expected to take the lead, with adult mentors providing guidance and support.
The program also provides a modest budget and stipend to support their participation and event planning.
Goslinga explained that the objective is to develop young people into role models who can assume leadership responsibilities within their communities and eventually become more involved in sporting organizations.
The initiative reflects NSI's broader belief that sports can help young people discover capabilities and interests extending beyond athletic competition.
Sports Development Must Include Everyone
Goslinga also addressed the broader direction of sports development on St. Maarten, explaining that the country's ambitions should not be measured solely by the success of competitive athletes or participation in international tournaments.
While developing high-performing athletes remains important, he believes greater attention must be given to encouraging physical activity among the wider population, beginning in early childhood and continuing through adulthood.
He noted that many young people participate in sports during their school years but become less physically active after completing their education and entering the workforce.
For NSI, creating accessible facilities and supporting community programs are therefore important components of developing a healthier and more active society.
Goslinga suggested that investing in grassroots participation, qualified coaches and structured sporting opportunities would also strengthen competitive athletics over time by creating a larger foundation from which talented athletes can emerge.
Greater Focus on Programs as Facility Repairs Advance
The NSI director acknowledged that much of the organization's attention in recent years has been devoted to repairing and rehabilitating sporting facilities damaged during the hurricanes of 2017.
Under its three-year strategic approach, NSI prioritized restoring infrastructure and improving facilities to provide suitable environments for athletes and sporting organizations.
However, Goslinga explained that the extensive rehabilitation effort had limited the attention and resources available for expanding some community programs.
As the major repairs progress, NSI intends to shift more of its focus toward sporting activities, youth development initiatives and programs encouraging wider community participation.
The organization manages approximately 70,000 square meters of sporting infrastructure, including major sports complexes, district courts and recreational facilities used by clubs, federations and community organizations.
Goslinga stressed that making these spaces available is only one part of the organization's responsibility. Equally important is ensuring they are actively used to create opportunities for personal development, social engagement and healthier lifestyles.
The approach places youth development at the center of NSI's longer-term vision, recognizing that the benefits of investing in sports should extend beyond the playing field.
Through initiatives such as Sports Unites, the St. Peters Ballers and Cruyff Court Heroes, NSI is seeking to demonstrate how organized sporting activities can help young people develop the values, skills and confidence needed to contribute positively to their communities.
The underlying objective is to strengthen participation at the grassroots level while providing young people with meaningful opportunities for growth, mentorship and leadership.
