After fifteen days, ten cities, three football matches and a training session with former FIFA World Player of the Year, Lothar Matthäus; the Anguilla National Football Team returned home having left an indelible mark on the minds and lives of the thousands of Germans they came into contact with during their tour of the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ host country.

The performances and professionalism of the team during their three matches and their attendance at the sponsors’ events created the basis for the name change. Bernhard Mosandl, the brain behind Anguilla’s tour of Germany said, “When you look at how these guys interact with each other, it reminds you of the loyalty and unity that exist among dolphins – no wonder dolphins find their way on the Anguilla flag.”

Anguilla’s Soccer Dolphins were the poster child for the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ Theme, “A Time To Make Friends.” As they travelled from city to city, the team was hounded by hoards of football fans screaming for autographs and a chance to have a picture taken with one of the players. During their visit to Berlin, the Federal Interior Minister Dr. Wolfgang Schäuble and President of the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ Organising Committee, Franz Beckenbauer unveiled the Anguilla National Team as “our specific example of what we are doing to foster a country and an atmosphere of friends and friendship for the World Cup.”

During their tour, the team played three matches and despite a record of 0-2-1, Team Manager, Bernard Wattley was very impressed with the team’s showing. Mr. Wattley observed, “While we did not win a game, the team played very well and the guys have no reason to hang their heads.” Meanwhile, team coach, Vernon Hodge was full of praises for the team; “I think that the guys have had more than enough opportunity to see good football and the work ethic that is required to be successful at this level…from their level of play, I know that they have been impacted.”

For the Anguilla Football Association though, the tour was more than an opportunity to play football. The tour was described by the Association as an opportunity to build bridges, create synergies and foster partnerships and friendships that will allow not just footballers but young people from Anguilla and the City of Bad Neustadt to experience new cultures, a new way of life and most importantly, new ideas from new friends. The ambassadorial role played by the Anguillians while in Germany has truly been a strong marketing tool for the island in the heart of Europe. The AFA President in summarising the tour of Germany said, “It is amazing how a ball can change people’s lives and help change a lifetime.”

The tour of Germany for Anguilla’s Rainbow Warriors was made possible by financial contributions from the Government of Anguilla, National Bank of Anguilla, Sunset Homes, Wind Drift Villas, Anguilla Social Security, and KT&T Services. In underscoring the value of the response from the public and private sectors, AFA General Secretary said, “it is always refreshing when the government and other national development stakeholders see merit in the personal, athletic and professional development of Anguillians and Anguilla. These companies and institutions have truly demonstrated that they truly believe that football can be used as facet of sustainable national development.”

The delegation that travelled to Germany Jarden Abbott, Kapil Assent, Gustave Caines, Crege Clarke, Girdon Connor, Lester Connor, Mark Connor, Kwame Connor, Ian Edwards, Lucian Fleming, Andre Griffith, Kevin Hawley, Leon Jeffers, Romare Kelsick, Carlisle Lake, Kelvin Liddie, Richard O’Connor (Anguillian professional player in the UK), Gaekward St. Hillaire, and Kinairo Smith. The team was coached by Vernon Hodge; while Bernard Wattley was the Manager and Khalidah Banks was the physiotherapist. They were joined by Alkins Rogers, Raymond Guishard, Diana Carty, Alison Hughes, Monica Guishard, and Damien Hughes.

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