Our Country – Our Football - Our People
St. Kitts’ long historical past, dominated by slavery and colonialism has been the incubator for the resilience and fortitude of its people. The cultivation of cane sugar spanned over three hundred and fifty years, until, the Government was forced to close the industry in 2005. The sugarcane covered landscapes punctuated with centuries-old former sugar plantations tell a story of time passed.
Football was played on the Sugar Estates in a non-competitive form when the British Plantocracy ruled the country, especially when young sons of the planters returned from England on holiday.
This game was taken up by enslaved males who used the inflated bladder from killed animals since they could not possess the real thing. Having learned the art of kicking the ball, the most skillful of the estate labourers were selected on the local team that was organized to compete against a visiting warships.
It was not until 1932 that a local Football Association was formed under the leadership of Mr. S.D Malone; the Headmaster of the local Grammar School.
The first teams were Rovers, Rivals, Eagles and the Grammar School. The Leeward Islands Football Association was formed in 1948 again under the leadership of Mr. Malone. The first tournament in 1949 was held in Antigua, and the competing islands were St. Kitts, Antigua, Montserrat, and Dominica; having left the Leeward Islands Colony that same year.
Antigua won the first tournament, but St. Kitts resolved not to let it happen again and from 1950 to 1960 St. Kitts never lost the tournament again.
The trophy was sponsored by the Akoa Shipping Company of England through its agent Mr. Wall of Montserrat. The Caribbean Football Union was formed in 1978. St. Kitts became a member in 1979.
St. Kitts and Nevis became a member of the CONCACAF and the FIFA in 1992 and has participated on the International scene since then as the St. Kitts-Nevis Football Association.
OUR VISION
To provide opportunities for success for everyone through football
OUR MISSION
- To develop and promote the nation’s football
- To provide quality entertainment for all
- To enable our youth to access opportunities
- To enhance the image of St Kitts and Nevis internationally through football