The 2024-2025 season will remain a defining moment for the Center of Excellence and Education through Sport (CEES). Marked by the transition from association status to that of a Public Administrative Institution (EPA), this year consolidated the CEES's work while maintaining a strong dynamic: supporting the youth of Saint-Martin in their sporting, academic, and civic success.
Key figures for 2024–2025
- 79 student-athletes supported within the Territorial Sports Centers (CST)
- 15 beneficiaries monitored as part of the Training & Employment Center
- 73 student athletes recognized at Rising Talents 2025 (nearly 300 participants)
- 40 young people involved in maritime education initiatives (Languages, Arts, and Culture Festival – May 2025)
- 23 beneficiaries supported by supplementary measures (AMES, ASHN, ACNI)
- New sport added to the CST: Beach Tennis
1) A major institutional transition: CEES becomes EPA
The 2024-2025 financial year was devoted to a transformation: the establishment of the CEES as a public administrative institution. This statutory change involved extensive legal, administrative, and operational restructuring in order to secure procedures, strengthen governance, and ensure the continuity of public service.
In this context, the Resource and Institutional Support Division has been temporarily suspended: a conscious decision that will allow us to focus our efforts on the robustness of processes and the compliance and reliability of systems.
2) Training & Employment: structuring career paths and professionalizing vocations
The CEES continues its work to promote integration and qualification in sports-related professions. In its first season, 15 beneficiaries received support in developing their career plans:
- 6 unsuccessful applications (orientation or project not consolidated)
- 3 dropouts
- 6 successful courses, leading to the completion or continuation of qualifying training programs
The Aid for Training and Professionalization in Sports Professions (AFPS) program thus confirms its structural role: facilitating access to recognized certifications and strengthening the professionalization of sports in the region.
3) Performance Pathway: CSTs consolidate their regional momentum
With 79 student-athletes supported, the Territorial Sports Centers (CST) are establishing themselves as key players in the pursuit of sporting excellence in Saint Martin. The 2024-2025 academic year was marked in particular by:
- the introduction of a new sport: beach tennis
- Strengthening supervision by educators, coaches, and partners
- the consolidation of a stable educational and sporting framework
The CEES thus confirms its strategy: to help young people grow through a demanding program, while ensuring comprehensive support.
4) Enhanced comprehensive support: sports, health, school, citizenship
The CEES has consolidated a comprehensive support model designed to promote performance, but also balance and success among young people. Among the actions implemented are:
- renewal of textile equipment and sports equipment
- Nutritional monitoring with CTOS (menus tailored to the needs of student-athletes)
- coherent scheduling and school groupings
- dedicated shuttles to ensure safe travel before and after training sessions
- academic support provided by experts and homework assistance
- Personalized follow-up by physical therapists
5) Performance in 2025: Saint Martin's youth standing out
Student athletes participated in numerous training camps, competitions, and talent scouting tours, with particularly noteworthy results:
- Athletics: 1st place in the U15 1000 m (Guadeloupe) + admission to the CREPS Pôle Espoir (sports training center)
- Basketball: podium finishes at the U15 Interpôles Tournament (972) and U14 International Tournament (Quebec City)
- Cycling: Caribbean runner-up, 4th place in the French U17 Track Cycling Cup + national talent scouting
- Sailing: outstanding performances at the Opti Cup U13 and International Spring Cup
- Gymnastics: first regional selections (review of regional and national Avenir teams).
- Soccer: U14 Interleague selections, Pôle Espoirs pre-selections + overseas training camp in Clairefontaine
6) Education & citizenship: 40 young people mobilized around maritime issues
In May 2025, as part of the Languages, Arts, and Culture Festival, the CEES ran an educational program dedicated to maritime issues for student-athletes at CSTs. Forty beneficiaries took part in workshops combining nautical activities, discovery of the port environment, and civic awareness, promoting independence, self-confidence, and engagement.
7) Rising Talents 2025: promoting, uniting, inspiring
In June 2025, the CEES organized Rising Talents 2025, a ceremony dedicated to recognizing student-athletes and coaches.
- 73 student-athletes honored
- nearly 300 participants (families, institutions, partners)
Objectives: to celebrate achievements, strengthen cohesion, and highlight excellence and commitment.
Financial Focus – Rising Talents 2025:
- Total budget: €40,668
- CEES funding: €27,995 (69%)
- Private partners: €12,673 (31%)
8) Additional measures: supporting all levels of requirements The CEES supported 23 beneficiaries through:
- Aid for Mobility in Sports Excellence: 18 mobility grants for excellence
- Support for Elite Athletes: 3 elite career paths
- Assistance for National and International Competitions: 2 grants to assist with participation in national and international competitions
The CEES thus confirms its ability to support different levels of practice: from local progression to access to the highest level.
9) Outlook for 2025-2026: accelerating structuring and revealing potential
The 2024-2025 season marks institutional consolidation and a ramp-up of initiatives. The CEES is approaching 2025-2026 with a clear ambition: to enable every young person in Saint Martin to reach their full potential through excellent coaching, collective strength, and regional commitment.
"Our goal is twofold: to structure a path to performance, while making sport a lever for education, cohesion, and citizenship for young people." Charles-Henri Palvair, Executive Director of CEES
Source: Soualiga Post
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