Mr. Colin Johnson chaired a ceremony held at the James Ronald Webster Park on Monday, October 29 at 4pm to announce the commencement of the AFA – NBA Interhouse Football League of the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School. All five teams representing the pink, yellow, orange, purple, and maroon houses were present to hear remarks from various contributors.

Young footballers at Webster Park ready for action

Executive Assistant of the Anguilla Football Association, Monica Guishard, was first to speak after all participants both sang the first verse of the National Song and were led in prayer by Dee’Ann Rogers. She thanked NBA for being the primary sponsors of the primary school football competition and a major contributor to the secondary school competitions as well. She stressed that competition is important but all participants, after every game, should leave everything on the field and be respectful of each other.

Young footballers at Webster Park ready for action

Mrs. Ingrid Lake, Principal of the ALHCS, gave a vibrant speech in which she thanked the AFA and NBA for their work and dedication. The competition will end on November 23rd with most football games beginning at 3:30pm at Webster Park. The tournament, organized by the AFA, is also supported administratively by the Sports Directorate, under the leadership of Alkins Rogers. Mr. Rogers also spoke with much enthusiasm about the tournament.

Director of Sports, Alkins Rogers

Preparing for play

He also took time out to tell an anecdote in which he explained how Mr. Banks actually approached him to make a proposal to revive football in Anguilla. He mentioned how it normally works the other way around. It is customary for organizations to go to the bank to ask for assistance and in this case, Mr. Banks, because of his love for football, asked Mr. Rogers to come up with a proposal to help football move forward. Therefore, NBA has been the main sponsor for youth football as of late.

E. Valentine Banks

NBA was represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. E. Valentine Banks who reflected on his football days when he was a young man. He referred to the recent magazine celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Anguilla Revolution in which there were pictures of him with other team mates during their football days. He was happy that NBA was able to assist and hopes that the level of play increases and that the children continue to grow in their own personal development. He noted this as he again reflected on the fact that football was a large part of his own development. In closing, Mr. Banks said, “sport brings out the best in each and every one of us.”

-Jason Allen

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