Sandals Resorts’ Future Goals program inspires the next generation of football dreamers and holidaymakers | News
As Curacao prepares for a historic summer on the global soccer stage, Sandals Resorts celebrates the island’s passion for the game, both on and off the field. Through Future Goals, a sustainability-oriented youth initiative led by the Sandals Foundation in collaboration with the Dutch football club AFC Ajax and local recycler Limpi Recycling, students in Curaçao learn that the power of sport extends far beyond the final whistle. At the same time, guests visiting Sandals Royal Curacao this summer are invited to experience the island’s soccer spirit firsthand through the resort’s new Vacation Goals: Curacao Edition program, creating a unique connection between community impact and cultural celebration.
Future Goals: A program with a purpose
Now in its fourth year and recently extended through 2028, Future Goals transforms plastic waste and discarded ghost fishing nets collected from the sea into colorful soccer goal posts for primary schools in Curaçao. Combined with an eight-week curriculum that combines environmental awareness, teamwork and hands-on training, the program uses sports as a means to teach life skills while promoting environmental stewardship among the island’s youth.
At the heart of the initiative is a network of local ‘Future Coaches’, who receive specialist training and mentorship through the renowned youth development methodology of Dutch football club AFC Ajax. Together they bring the program to classrooms and communities across Curacao, helping students build self-confidence, leadership skills and a love for the game.
So far, Future Goals has:
More than 7,500 kilos of plastic waste recycled
More than 3,390 square meters of ghost fishing nets reused
Created and distributed more than 116 football goal posts in Curaçao
More than 5,345 students reached at the island’s primary schools
The goalposts, locally produced by Limpi Recycling, serve as a visible reminder of the program’s circular approach, transforming materials collected on Curacao’s coast into opportunities for play, learning and growth. Limpi also operates an educational outpost where visitors can learn about the island’s recycling efforts and circular economy initiatives.
“Curaçao’s historic moment on the global soccer stage is about so much more than the game itself; it’s about opportunity and inspiring the next generation,” said Heidi Clarke, executive director of the Sandals Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts. “Through Future Goals, we use the power of sport to create lasting impact in local communities, while giving young people the tools, confidence and opportunities to dream bigger.”
A Celebration in Blue: A student-designed public installation debuts in honor of Curaçao’s historic football moment
The program’s impact is on full display for travelers and locals as students on World Oceans Day unveiled the Future Goals Year End Showcase, transforming a street in the historic Kura Hulanda district into a vibrant celebration of Curaçao’s football pride, creativity and commitment to sustainability. The blue-themed public art installation, designed and created by thousands of students, used recycled plastic waste and reclaimed ghost fishing nets collected through Future Goals, transforming materials once destined for landfills and the sea into colorful blue-and-yellow displays celebrating Curaçao’s historic moment as the smallest country to ever qualify for the World Cup.
More than 22 participating schools contributed to the installation, which collected almost 850 kilos of plastic waste, 192,319 plastic lids and more than 40 square meters of ghost fishing nets. After the exhibition period, materials from the installations will be returned to Limpi Recycling for further processing and reuse, reinforcing the programme’s commitment to creating a more sustainable future both on and off the field.
The competition energy of the island comes to life at Sandals Royal Curaçao
As excitement builds in Curaçao this summer, visitors can also experience the island’s soccer spirit firsthand through “Vacation Goals: Curaçao Edition” at Sandals Royal Curaçao. The limited-time summer program invites guests to celebrate with the island with vibrant viewing parties, globally inspired food and beverage offerings, on-resort soccer activations and immersive cultural experiences, including Island Routes’ Curaçao Futbòl Culture Tour.
In addition to the football celebrations, guests can also connect with Curacao’s natural environment through the resort’s partnership with the BRANCH Coral Foundation, which now offers opportunities to participate in hands-on coral restoration efforts.
