The 2006 Anguilla Female Football League (AFFL), sponsored by the Caribbean Commercial Bank, commenced at the Webster Park Annex on Sunday, April 30, and will continue until July 7.

Minister Evan Rogers inspecting teams

The tournament involves four teams for which CCB has direct responsibility – namely: Li’ Soldiers, Shining Stars, Super Stars and Youngsters. The fifth team, Gazelles is invitational.

The teams, coaches, supporters and others were welcomed during the opening ceremony by Coach Colin Johnson. He said it was the fourth year of sponsorship by CCB and he was looking forward to a very exciting competition. He exhorted all players to perform at their best in order to develop female football in Anguilla and to demonstrate fair play and respect for others at all times.

Teams in action

Chairperson of the Female Football Development Committee, Diana Carty, said that the league had achieved much success for women football in Anguilla and in the region. She commended the Caribbean Commercial Bank for its valuable support and “for enriching the lives of young women through sports.”

Ms. Carty noted that for the first time this year all the teams competing in the league were fully-developed football clubs with complete autonomy of their operations. “These young women, who are being supported by experienced people, are now in a position to fully receive technical, financial and institutional assistance from the Anguilla Football Association,” she added.

Kick for the goal

Karen York, CCB’s Administrative Assistant, said the bank was proud to be the corporate sponsor of the women’s football league for the third year. “CCB has been a supporter of the youth over the years and is proud to nurture human and social development, building disciplined characters and fostering personal enrichment,” she stated.

Ms York went on: “Female football is not only growing but is doing so in leap and bounds. We have seen teams developed into clubs and key personnel of these clubs holding prominent positions in the Anguilla Football Association…In keeping with the AFA, we have sought to increase the number of competitive activities in female football… Other activities on this year’s schedule are backyard olympics and a knockout tournament to conclude the games.

“There are so many young talents being exposed to this wonderful sport and many in waiting. We would be happy to see more players joining the clubs and more clubs joining the league…Last year the Shining Stars won the trophy for the second time since the inception of the league. We are hoping that this year they will be willing to fight harder to retain the championship, and the other clubs will run for the championship.”

Minister of Sport, Evans Rogers, said he was very impressed with the work, structure and functioning of the Anguilla Football Association and its investment in female players. “I am proud to say that female football, with regards to Anguilla, is well on its way to having one of the top teams throughout the Caribbean,” he observed.

Mr. Rogers recalled being in Barbados recently, when he was introduced as the Minister of Sport from Anguilla and the first question he was asked was: “how come we have such a wonderful football team?” He commended the President of the Football Association, Raymond Guishard, Colin Johnson and the entire association for including female teams in the matches.

The Minister added that his ministry in conjunction with the Football Association and FIFA would ensure that the football sport would continue to be developed on the island.

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