Children in Anguilla are looking forward to the 25th Annual NBA Primary School Football Tournament, now that the 24th has already been held, leaving them filled with excitement.
The 24th annual competition was played at the Coronation Ball Field a few weeks ago. The closing ceremony and presentation of prizes were held at the Ronald Webster Park on Friday, November 23.
Ms Marisa Gumbs, the West End Branch Manager of the National Bank of Anguilla, congratulated all of the young footballers for their excellence performance. “Throughout the tournament, we watched in admiration as some of you stunned us with your spectacular performances,” she told them. “Though you may have encountered challenges along the way, you played with the behaviour and attitude expected of athletes. Congratulations to all who may have played a part in ensuring the success of this tournament.
“NBA has proudly sponsored the tournament for the past 24 years, and we are indeed grateful to all of the other stakeholders for the roles that they have played and continue to play. We thank you for your support and we look forward to partnering with you for many more years to come.
“Special congratulations to the winning school: the girls from the Morris Vanterpool Primary School; and the boys from The Valley Primary School. Morris Vanterpool last won the tournament in 2004, making this only the second time in the life of the tournament that they have won. For this you must be proud as you played the better game to arrive at this point. The Valley Primary School’s last taste of victory was in 1999, thirteen years ago, and I don’t think I can begin to imagine the joy that you feel at this time.
“We were all this year very happy to see some exceptional performances from some of the smaller schools, and I must single out the girls of the Vivien Vanterpool Primary School who this year made it to the finals for the first time.I must also congratulate the boys of the Morris Vanterpool Primary School. You fought very hard throughout the tournament and I must say you were the favourites for many…To all the other teams, I am sure you have also played to the best of your ability and, that, you too must be applauded.”
Director of Sports, Mrs. Wilma Proctor, noted that next year would be 25 years since the start of the NBA Primary Schools Football Tournament and she suggested that plans should now begin for a special function then. She described the tournament as “one of the most highly anticipated sporting event on our calendar every year; and a good example of youth sports.”
She went on: “The children are competitive, but they have fun; the parents and supporters are passionate, but supportive; and the games are keenly contested, but highly entertaining. This tournament is a great foundation upon which the Football Association can build and develop young players and the sport on the island.”
Mrs. Proctor commended NBA for its continuing support of sports in Anguilla by the sponsorship of the football tournament and other events, and for its commitment to the development of the youth in Anguilla.
President of the Football Association, Raymond Guishard, was pleased that his organisation was able to donate footballs to the schools, for the training of players, as well as to the winners in the various categories of the competition. He paid tribute to a number of young footballers who did so well that they eventually gained acceptance into the national team.
“I say to you now that the opportunity is here for you to be part of the football sport,” he remarked. “We have football in the comprehensive school; for the 15s; under 17s; under 20s and so there is a place for everyone here. Thanks to the players, coaches, referees, officials,parents, thesport department and NBA, for ensuring that this tournament continues from year to year.”
The overall results of the tournament for the girls were as follows: Morris Vanterpool Primary School, first; Vivien Vanterpool Primary School, second; Adrian T. Hazell Primary School, third; and Alwyn A. Richardson Primary School, fourth. The Most Outstanding Player was Cartiyah Adams of Valley Primary School.
In the boys’ matches, Valley Primary School placed first; Orealia Kelly Primary School, second; Morris Vanterpool Primary School, third; and Alwyn A. Richardson Primary School, fourth. The overall Most Outstanding Player was Wakeem Richardson of the Alwyn A. Richardson Primary School.
