VYV Cup: the season is underway for the clubs from Saint-Martin

The evening began, however, on a sombre note. “The football family is in mourning,” said League President Aristide Conner as he opened the presentation. A minute’s silence was observed in tribute to Georgy Yves Pezeron, a much-loved figure in local football who was deeply committed to young players.

A major competition in overseas football

Established in 2008, the VYV Cup has gradually established itself as a key event in Caribbean football. Organised by the Antilles-Guyana Football League, it brings together the best teams from the men’s Regional 1 senior leagues of Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana and, since 2011, Saint Martin. This inter-regional competition offers overseas clubs the opportunity to compete at the highest level whilst highlighting the richness and diversity of amateur football in the region.
Until 2024, clubs from Saint Martin had to go through a play-off phase to stand a chance of entering the competition. Since last year, Saint Martin has been organising its own local qualifying phase, allowing the winner to enter the regional phase directly, on the same footing as the other territories. This is a significant step forward for the recognition of local football.
For this new edition, FC Concordia joins the line-up in place of the Orléans Attackers. A women’s version of the VYV Cup was created in 2023, but Saint Martin will not be fielding a team this year.

A showcase for Saint Martin football

For Aristide Conner, the territory’s participation in this competition is, above all, a showcase for local talent. The objective is clear: to showcase the potential of Saint-Martin’s players and promote the island’s football identity beyond its borders. With this in mind, the League president has called on clubs to set an example, emphasising that the technical gap with regional teams is narrowing year on year.
The captains of the four teams received the official shirts and kit in their clubs’ colours. A symbolic presentation that truly kicks off the season.
The competition therefore got underway this weekend with two matches at the Thelbert Carti Stadium: Saint Louis Stars versus Juventus (3-3) and the Junior Stars against FC Concordia (11-0). The semi-finals will take place on 4 April and the final on 12 April, again at the Quartier d’Orléans stadium, a stopgap measure whilst the Marigot stadium is being refurbished. The state of the sports facilities means Saint Martin will not host the cup this year. The semi-finals and final of the inter-regional phase will therefore take place in Martinique, on 30 April and 2 May respectively.