and Minister Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers during ceremonial groundbreaking
On Monday 6th June, 2023, the Anguilla Football Association (AFA) held a ground breaking ceremony for the development of the AFA Turf Field that will be located east of the Raymond E. Guishard Technical Centre and football field in The Valley.
Pastor Rondy Isles prayed that God would bless the grounds and energize those who would be charged with constructing the facility.
Visiting the island for the ceremony were representatives from FIFA, including: Mr. Jair Bertoni, Regional Director of Association Members of the Americas; Mr. Herve Blanchard, Lead FIFA Regional Office; Ms. Malaika Church, FIFA Member Association Development Manager; Mr. Alejandro Calvente, FIFA Member Association Regional Manager; and Mr. Franklin Ngwese Ngabe, Project Manager of GreenFields.
Mr. Jair Bertoni delivered remarks on behalf of the Fédération internationale de Football Association (FIFA). “This artificial field that will be built here is part of our main flagship programme of football development,” he said. “It is a programme that started in 2016. The programme aims at developing football for boys and girls at all levels and categories in a way that is transparent, accountable and responsible for all who would benefit from the sport.”
He said that FIFA contributes towards the construction of fields like this for all 211 members of the association, regardless of their size. He stressed that there is no criteria that must be considered. He noted that FIFA’s policy is that football must be played everywhere.
“I have met persons here who are driven by their passion and love for the sport of football,” he said. “I understand that football is a very important sport for the community of Anguilla. It is not only for the practice of the sport, and the playing of the game, but I have learnt that many players in Anguilla have made football a part of their lives. So this turf field shall have the aim of bringing the value of football closer to the players. It will enable the players, coaches, referees and fans to appreciate and enjoy the sport more fully.”
He said that the turf field should produce a sentiment of pride, not only for the players of the game but for the Anguillian population in general.
President of the Anguilla Football Association Mr. Girdon Connor welcomed the attendees: “This ground breaking ceremony for the football turf facility is significant for many reasons,” he said. “Apart from the physical ground breaking, we have an opportunity to create the first sporting facility of this standard and quality here in Anguilla.”
“Today, I wish to acknowledge the presence of our FIFA delegation which includes: Mr. Jair Bertoni, Regional Director of Association Members of the Americas; Mr. Herve Blanchard, Mr. Alejandro Calvente, Mr. Franklin Ngwese Ngabe, and Ms. Malaika Church from the FIFA Regional Office,” he said. “I also welcome our Honourable Minister, Ms. Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers, as well as the members of our Executive Committee of the Anguilla Football Association. In addition, I welcome all members of the “Football Family’ and other invited guests.”
The Honourable Minister of Social Development, Ms. Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers said, “I am thrilled to be here today with the ‘Football Family’. We all share a passion for football and we understand its profound impact beyond the field…I remember, very well, playing on this field with the Female Football League. I remember the injuries, too, sustained due to an uneven field. But despite the challenges, the ‘Football Family’ continues to grow…”
“The realization of this particular artificial field is the result of collaboration between the Department of Education, the Department of Sports, the Anguilla Football Association with President Girdon Connor and his team, and FIFA. It is with this same spirit of unity and collaboration that we must embrace making a difference,” she said. “When we nurture the next generation of players and create an environment that fosters excellence, we elevate the sport of football to higher heights and professionalism. And, we aim to inspire future generations to dream bigger.”
Coach Winston Duncan gave a history of the site upon which the turf field will be developed. He said that the entire area was once a plot of land upon which food crops were cultivated. “Now,” he said, “instead of feeding families, this land will be nurturing dreams – dreams of being able to become professional football players.”
