The Anguilla Female Football League sponsored by the Caribbean Commercial Bank (CCB) was officially launched at the bank’s conference room on Tuesday afternoon this week.

Assistant Manager, (Marketing), Trevor Woodley, who chaired the ceremony, told the gathering that the island’s Football Association had hinted to the bank that it was looking for sponsorship for a female competition. He noted that this was before the very fine display by the Under 19 Stinging Ants, a group of school girls on the island.

Raymond Guishard preseting gift to Preston Bryan

“We got into it quite early even before those games, because we recognised that there was some talent and CCB is always looking for talent,” Mr. Woodley stated. “I think right at the beginning I should point out that the Female Football League is intended to be more than just a competition. It is a tournament. It is actually the administrative body that is going to run and develop female football in Anguilla.”
He explained that while the bank was sponsoring the Football League, it might not sponsor every tournament that comes under that body, as the CCB’s interest was mainly in terms of the development of a programme.

According to Mr. Woodley, the request this year was for uniforms. There are four teams in the tournament and the CCB is taking care of that expense. He disclosed that the bank budgeted some US$3,000 for the competition. The tournament runs from July 2 - 11 and the matches will be played at the Webster Park Annex. The teams are Shining Stars, champions; Little Super Stars, Manchester United and the Lil Soldiers.

Vanessa Connor makes presentation to Mr. Guishard

CCB’s Assistant Manager for Operations, Vanessa Connor, stated that the sponsorship of the Female Football League was among a number of other sponsorships by the bank. These included the Miriam Gumbs Senior Citizens Home, the Annual Draught Tournament, the Annual CCB Boat Race and the Centre Court of the Tennis Academy.

“Our task at hand here today is to raise public awareness of our most recent commitment to long-term sponsorship of the Anguilla Female Football Leaque,” she said. “This sponsorship has been a two-fold opportunity, allowing the bank to enhance its goal as a meaningful contributor in our community as well as creating alliances with the upcoming generation through our product distribution such as the Young Investors Deposit Club Account.”

Miss Connor said the sponsorship of the Female Football League also allowed for a more direct involvement by the bank in the development of the sport among the female population of Anguilla. She explained that under the agreement the CCB was sitting on the committee to guide the administration and promotion of the game apart from providing financial support.

Following her address, she presented CCB t-shirts to the members of the Football Committee.

L-R: Vanessa Connor, Diana Carty, Jenelle Lake, Raymond Guishard and Trevor Woodley

President of the committee, Diana Carty, said her seven-member team had been commissioned by the Football Association to run the Female Football League. She spoke about plans to develop both junior and senior female teams and was grateful to the CCB for its sponsorship.

Captain of the Under 19 Footballers, Janelle Lake, pledged that her team would endeavour to represent the bank to its best ability. “I would like to express sincere gratitude to the Caribbean Commercial Bank for sponsoring our league,” she stated. “We appreciate your interest and your support and are grateful for the assistance you are giving. The team and the Football Association will continue to trust in your support…We hope that the bond between your company and the Association would continue to grow.”

President of the Anguilla Football Association, Raymond Guishard, described the sponsorship of the league as a partnership between the CCB and the Association to develop skills, attitudes and the type of behaviour that would not only create good female footballers but good citizens as well.

“I am sure that the partnership will grow and CCB will never imagine at this stage what could come out of this because female football is the fastest growing sport today,” Mr. Guishard remarked. He praised the bank for its sponsorship and looked forward to its continuing support.

Mr. Guishard presented a pair of football shoes to Managing Director of the bank, Preston Bryan, as a token of appreciation and thanks.

Members of the Stinging Ants Football Club with Officials of the Caribbean Commercial Bank and the Anguilla Football Association

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