Their resolved came after competing with other female football teams in the Dominican Republic, last week, where they had a good showing but failed to win any of the four matches. The Anguillian footballers, drawn from several clubs on the island, returned home on Monday, this week, May 14. They were among teams from the Dominica Republic, Cuba, Aruba and Puerto Rico.
President of the Anguilla Football Association, Mr. Raymond Guishard, accompanied by the General Secretary, Ms. Marslyn Richardson, welcomed home two representatives of the team at the Clayton Lloyd International Airport, and the majority of members at the Blowing Point Seaport.
“There were 22 Anguillian footballers from Anguilla in all,” Mr. Guishard told The Anguillian. “They settled down after the first match and had a chance, maybe, to draw with the Aruban team or even win them. Their score against the Cuban team was not so bad because of the level at which the Anguillian team played, but the score was 4-nil (with the Cuban team winning).
“All in all, we have to continue developing our players until we get the desired results. We know that we are going up against professional players or persons who are continuously practicing. Two of our young players were eleven years. We know who we are sending as players and what to expect, but we know that with the training of our younger girls we will eventually get some good results from them, and be proud of them in the future.”
Mr. Guishard reported that the next football competition, at which Anguilla will be represented, will be held in Miami for under 15 teams in August coming. “The Anguilla Football League is due to begin on May 27 and we are hoping to see some of the experience gained in the Dominican Republic coming through during that league,” he added.
Adriana Connor, a member of the Anguillian team, who played in the Dominican Republic, and a sixth form student at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, commented: “The match against the team from the Dominican Republic was one of the best games for our team, and also for me. We played a very well game and by playing hard we stopped them from qualifying.”
Asked about her team’s strongest points, she replied: “We all worked together. There were no arguments with each other and we were all disciplined.”
She has been playing football in Anguilla from the time she was in grade 4, in primary school, as a member of the Lil Solders. She is now playing with the Youngsters Team.
Dr. Frank Kofi, the National Team’s doctor, who accompanied the players to the Dominican Republic, commented: “No one fell ill. We just had minor injuries,” he reported. “Unbelievably, I think the girls did very well in the four games that were played. Those who had injuries after the first two games had a good rest, and by the last game we had the full squad injury free.”
Asked about his involvement in football, he replied: “I am part of I have played football all through my college life and I still continue to play football.” Dr. Kofi is a General Practitioner with the Health Authority of Anguilla.
