What began as a simple aim to get more children on the court has quickly become one of the most inspiring youth movements on the island.


Funded by the Sandals Foundation with an investment of US$15,000, the Grassroots Hoops Program of local group, Basketball for the Future is helping to drive a new era of community growth in Saint Lucia, and the first trimester of 2025 has already proven just how powerful sport can be in shaping lives.



From January to March, over 225 young athletes, aged 6 to 21, laced up their sneakers and stepped into a future full of promise.

“Some of these talented young athletes are already being recognized by national teams and schools,” shared Ron Du Murville, Club Director of Basketball for the Future. “This program has truly become a game-changer.”


“Our support provides coaching stipends, uniforms, food and refreshments, and the vital logistics that allow children to simply show up and grow,” says Heidi Clarke, Executive Director at the Sandals Foundation.



Running in communities across Saint Lucia, this second year of programming has ignited something special. Boys and girls, many of whom had never before played in an organized setting, are now working in teams, volunteering at events, and dreaming bigger because someone believed in them.