Work has begun on the excavation and leveling of the ground for the installation of the long-awaited Anguilla Football Association’s turf field. The turf will be located east of the existing Raymond E. Guishard Technical Centre and football field in The Valley.
A ground-breaking ceremony for the turf field was held back in June in the presence of a team of visiting FIFA representatives including Mr. Jaheare Matony who had delivered remarks on behalf of the Fédération internationale de Football Association.
Minister responsible for Sports, the Honourable Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers, commented on the excavation and groundwork being carried out for installation of the turf field.
“I am elated to see the starting of the development of the artificial turf field. It is hoped that it will be completed and delivered by the end of October,” she said. “The Ministry, the Department of Sports and the Government of Anguilla are proud to have collaborated with the Anguilla Football Association (AFA) to lease the requested grounds to AFA for this particular purpose.”
“We consider this venture as being an investment in the future of our young people and the development of football on Anguilla,” the Sports Minister said. “Generally, the field turf will give us the ability to develop further opportunities for the professionalization of the sport.”
President of the Anguilla Football Association, Girdon Connor, also commented on the preparation for the upcoming turf field and why it is an advantage for football players having the availability of turf conditions.
“We are very excited about the installation of the artificial turf facility,” Mr. Connor said. “It will allow our national teams to prepare better for competitions often held on similar turf surfaces. Besides, our local teams can train more frequently because of the turf surface’s durability, and the turf will provide increased opportunities to host more local and regional tournaments.”
“In addition,” the President noted, “our players will benefit from the turf field in that it is expected to allow a more consistent flow of play. Practicing on a turf field will give our players the opportunity to train more regularly for extended periods. The turf field will also facilitate the hosting of more camps and festivals and will enable us to feature new competitions.”
President Connor has thanked the Government of Anguilla for providing the land for the turf field. He also extends gratitude to the Fédération internationale de Football Association (FIFA) who financed the project through its FIFA Forward Programme.
During the groundbreaking ceremony in June, Mr. Jaheare Matony had pledged FIFA’s support for the construction of the turf field. He said that FIFA contributes towards the construction of fields like this for all 211 members of the association, regardless of their size, and there is no criteria that must be considered. He noted that FIFA’s policy is that football must be played everywhere.
