NBA Primary Schools Football Tournament Opens

Students from the Primary Schools

The short ceremony commenced at approximately 3:45 p.m. and was chaired by Mrs. Deslyn Smith, NBA’s Market Research & Business Development Support Officer. The Invocation was lead by Pastor Phillip Gumbs followed by the welcome address delivered by NBA’s Director, Mrs. Cora Richardson-Hodge. It was in this welcome that she emphasized to the young athletes how important their participation in sport really is. She expressed, “Because playing sports embraces young persons from all communities, sports can assist us in breaking down barriers, including the reality of gangs and gang violence.” She continued, “for that reason alone, a greater investment in getting young people playing sports is justified and should be a vital part of growing up for every child in our country. Mrs. Hodge also remarked on the Bank’s position as it relates to our youths and their growth. “NBA recognizes the importance of sports in our community and is committed to the development of youths in the Anguilla Community,” she said. “After twenty three continuous years of sponsoring this Primary School Football Tournament, it is clear that NBA supports the initiative of providing our primary school children with the opportunity to play an organized sport,” she concluded.

Further remarks and well wishes were heard from Ms. Veda Harrigan – Education Officer – Primary/Pre-Primary and Ms. Alison Hughes – Executive Member of the Anguilla Football Association. Ms. Waynika Romney – NBA’s Customer Care Officer delivered the vote of thanks and Mr. Romare Kelsick – Head of Proof / Data Processing at NBA officially opened the tournament with the kick off.

The first match followed immediately after with the girls from the Orealia Kelly Primary vs Adrian T. Hazell Primary. In what will remain as one of the most interesting games for the course of the tournament, the girls of the Adrian T. Hazell Primary School were victorious in a final score of 2-0. These two teams battled it out in a tight finals match in the 2010 tournament in which the Orealia Kelly Primary girls were victorious. Naturally, they both had a score to settle and so they did. The second match between the boys of the same schools ended in a 1-0 final score, giving Adrian T. Hazell Primary double bragging rights for the day.

On Monday October 17th, 2011, there were a total of five games. At the Owen Mussington Playing Field in East End, Morris Vanterpool Primary were defeated by the Vivien Vanterpool Primary in 3-0 (girls) and 3-1 (boys) final. Valley Primary also had a double victory over the Central Christian in matches played at the Coronation Ball Park with final scores 6-0 (girls) and 6-1 (boys). The fifth match of the day took place at the Orealia Kelly Field where Alwyn Allison defeated Tr. Gloria Omolulu Institute in a 12-0 finish.

Results of all matches can be heard on your local radio stations as well as seen on the Facebook Page “NBA Primary School Football Tournament”. The National Bank of Anguilla Ltd takes this opportunity to thank all those who have contributed to the success of the tournament over the course of twenty three years and look forward to many more ahead. The general public is encouraged to come out and support the youth in this very exciting tournament.