Bright Spirits and Big Wins
The sand was flying, the music was pumping, and the smiles were everywhere as the 5th Annual Amstel Bright Volleyball Tournament wrapped up another spectacular weekend on the Philipsburg Boardwalk. Held on October 25 and 26, this year’s milestone edition proved to be one of the biggest and most vibrant yet – a celebration of fitness, fun and island community spirit.
With teams hailing from St. Maarten, Anguilla, St. Kitts, Guadeloupe, and St. Barths, the tournament saw an incredible turnout of both male and female athletes, all giving their best in four lively divisions: Men, Women, Mixed, and Kids (under 16). The atmosphere was electric as each match drew cheers from the crowd gathered along the Boardwalk Sports Park, right in front of the iconic Pasanggrahan Royal Guest House.
“This year’s event truly showed how far we’ve come,” said Jacob Streefkerk of the Sint Maarten Beach Volleyball Association. “The energy, the competition, the community support – it was everything we had hoped for and more. Seeing so many teams, especially the balance between men’s and women’s divisions, was really inspiring.”
From the first serve to the final spike, the weekend was filled with teamwork, athleticism, and positive energy. Beyond the competition, it was a reminder of the importance of staying active, connecting with others, and embracing healthy lifestyles that benefit both body and mind.
Spectators enjoyed a true island experience with the crystal-clear waters as a backdrop, cold Amstel Brights in hand, and great music setting the vibe. Saturday night’s post-game celebration with DJ Ika and DJ Euro brought everyone together, proving that fitness and fun can go hand in hand.
Tournament Results
Men’s Open
1st: Pas de panique (Junian Bristol & Elkreen Monton) – St. Kitts
2nd: Dual Threat (Rajheem Meulens & Pablo Yahuda) – St. Maarten
3rd: Los Gringos (Pierre Brouard & Louis Prenleloup) – Saint-Barthélemy
Women’s Open
1st: Power Duo (Shajunee Gumbs & Shanelle Harris) – St. Kitts and Nevis
2nd: Elloz (Maëlys & Mélodie) – St. Martin
3rd: Take a Seat (Cheyenne & Iasmin) – St. Maarten
Mixed Division
1st: Beach (Cécile & Malik) – Saint Martin
2nd: Coach’s Favourite (David Salomon & Iris Neijzen) – St. Maarten
3rd: Saint Barthélemy
Junior Under 16
1st: Wall-e’balle (Lucrezia Daal, Adonai Bourne, Tajah Peterson) – St. Maarten
2nd: Elloz (Sam Léo Yahuda, Skailann, Leonie) – St. Martin
3rd: Les Girls (Thibier, Steele Lauga, Saarbach) – St. Martin
Events like the Amstel Bright Volleyball Tournament highlight how sports build community while promoting physical and mental wellbeing. Volleyball in particular is a full-body workout that strengthens coordination, endurance, and teamwork – the skills that translate far beyond the court.
As St. Maarten continues to foster a culture of health and recreation, this tournament stands as a shining example of what happens when competition meets camaraderie. Whether you play or cheer from the sidelines, getting involved in local sports events is a great way to stay active, meet people, and nurture that island spirit. Here’s to five Bright years and to many more volleys, victories, and vibrant weekends ahead.
