St. Kitts and Nevis Government Delegation Reinforces Caribbean Youth Development Partnership Through Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Visit

In January 2025, a delegation from the government of St. Kitts and Nevis, including Mrs. Naeemah Hazelle, Permanent Secretary to Prime Minister Dr. Drew Terrance, visited the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The visit underscored a burgeoning partnership between the twin-island nation and two UK-based organizations, Thru Life and Reach One Teach One, centered around leveraging the power of sports, specifically football, to combat crime and empower youth. This collaboration, entering its third year, signifies a sustained commitment to social development in St. Kitts and Nevis, with a particular focus on crime prevention through targeted programs and initiatives. The delegation’s presence at the iconic stadium symbolized the strengthening of this transatlantic alliance dedicated to positive social change.

The core of this partnership revolves around the annual St. Kitts & Nevis Security Forces United FC summer Crime Prevention Soccer camp, an initiative spearheaded by Thru Life and Reach One Teach One. The upcoming 2025 camp will mark the third iteration of this impactful program, building upon the successes of previous years in fostering football development and community engagement within the federation. The camp serves as a crucial platform for engaging with young people, providing them with structured activities, mentorship, and valuable life skills through the medium of sport. By channeling youthful energy into positive pursuits, the program aims to steer vulnerable youth away from crime and violence, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose.

The delegation’s visit to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium provided valuable insights into the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation’s extensive community work, which similarly utilizes sports as a catalyst for creating life-changing opportunities. The Foundation’s model, deeply rooted in community engagement across all demographics, resonated strongly with the St. Kitts and Nevis representatives. Observing the Foundation’s successful programs and initiatives offered valuable learning experiences that can be adapted and implemented within their own context. The exchange of knowledge and best practices further solidified the shared vision of harnessing sport’s transformative power to address social challenges.

The tour of the state-of-the-art Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in Haringey provided the delegation with a firsthand experience of a world-class sporting facility and a deeper understanding of the club’s rich history and community-focused ethos. Witnessing the scale and impact of Tottenham Hotspur’s community outreach programs offered a tangible example of how sport can be effectively deployed to address societal issues. The impressive infrastructure and the club’s commitment to community development left a lasting impression, reinforcing the potential for sport to be a powerful force for positive change.

The partnership between St. Kitts and Nevis, Thru Life, and Reach One Teach One aligns seamlessly with the nation’s Youth Opportunities Strategy. This comprehensive strategy aims to address the root causes of youth crime and violence while simultaneously expanding opportunities for young people to thrive. By integrating sports-based interventions, the strategy seeks to provide alternative pathways for at-risk youth, fostering personal development, resilience, and a sense of community. The collaboration with the UK organizations reinforces the government’s commitment to investing in its youth and creating a safer, more prosperous future for all citizens.

In essence, the visit of the St. Kitts and Nevis delegation to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium represented a significant milestone in the ongoing partnership dedicated to leveraging the power of sport for social good. The exchange of knowledge, best practices, and the shared commitment to community development through sport reinforced the belief in its transformative potential. The collaborative efforts exemplify a strategic approach to tackling crime prevention and youth empowerment, promising a brighter future for the young people of St. Kitts and Nevis. The partnership stands as a testament to the power of international collaboration and the enduring impact of sports in building stronger, more resilient communities.