The National Commercial Bank of Anguilla’s (NCBA) annual Football Tournament 2023 edition got started at the Anguilla Football Association’s playing field on Tuesday 31st October, 2023 in the afternoon.
Following the customary playing of the Anguilla National song, the Bank’s Online Support Supervisor Mrs. Curtis Hazell, prayed for God’s protection of the players and that a good spirit of sportsmanship would prevail among them. At the end of the prayer she led the young players in chanting: “Win, lose or draw, we are all winners. Amen!”
In welcoming the players and everyone present to the opening, Banking Services Director, Mr. Romare Kelsick said: “Welcome to the sixth chapter of the NCBA’s Inter-Primary School Football Competition. NCBA remains committed to the development of our nation’s youth and communities, Hence we engage in continued efforts to partner with all stakeholders to ensure this football tournament is realized.”
“Tournaments of this nature teach our children valuable skills such as discipline, fair play, respect for authority teamwork, sportsmanship and team-spirit,” he pointed out. “I appeal to you, the fans, supporters and well-wishers to be positive examples for our children by respecting the decisions of the officials and coaches.”
“I take this opportunity to wish all of you players a safe and injury-free tournament and I would like to remind you that you are ambassadors for your school and the game. So make us all proud as you display your skills and talents throughout the tournament,” Mr. Kelsick said.
The Honourable Minister of Social Development, Ms. Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers remarked: “I want to thank all of our coaches who have prepared our students for this tournament. I thank our sponsor, the National Commercial Bank of Anguilla, and the Department of Education, for collaborating and ensuring that healthy competition continues to form a pivotal and important part of our students’ lives.”
“I know that the Inter-Primary School Competition is always a tough one, but it is all about who can perform at their best on the field,” she said. “And I am sure that all of the players will give the competition their best efforts. So, I would wish all of the schools the best of luck, and all of the coaches the best of patience. I encourage all the parents to hold your hearts as we witness this competition.”
General Secretary of the Anguilla Football Association, Mr. Jameel Rochester, thanked the sponsor, NCBA, for its continued support year after year. He also thanked the Department of Education and the organizing team in the Anguilla Football Association for putting the tournament together.
“I know this competition is one of the most highly anticipated competitions in all our leagues,” he said. “I want to thank our young people for continuing with this sport and for coming out to make the impacts that they make. They ‘play their hearts’ out on the field for their respective schools. They are continuing to grow in the sport from the tender grass-roots age into adulthood.”
He said that at the Anguilla Football Association the focus is on continuity, and the aim is to transcend the young people from youth competitions to senior and national competitions.
“So we want to say good luck out their players,” he said. “Have a fun time and continue to play at your best in football as we continue to grow this sport in Anguilla because football unites the world.”
Chief Education Officer, Mr. Bren Romney said that he was pleased to see the turnout. “I would like to wish all the participants from all the schools every success possible. As the prayer offered said, irrespective of the outcome every one of you would be a winner. I hope and pray that all players would find the tournament fulfilling.”
He extended gratitude to the coaches for their hard work and dedication in preparing the teams, and thanked the sponsor, National Commercial Bank of Anguilla for its continued support. “We are eternally grateful to you for your ongoing support,” he said, “and we pray that God would continue to prosper the Bank as an institution and that it would grow from strength to strength.”
Technical Director of the Anguilla Football Association, Mr. Colin Johnson, thanked all the stakeholders. He outlined a few rules and instructions relative to playing and gave some pointers concerning security and timing.
He then turned to the players and hollered: “Are you ready to rumble?” Of course they all responded with a resounding “Yeaaah!”
Schools participating in this year’s tournament are Valley Primary, Orealia Kelly Primary, Morris Vanterpool Primary, Vivien Vanterpool Primary, Adrian T. Hazell Primary, Alwyn Allison Richardson Primary, and Omololu International School.
The tournament games start each afternoon at 3:15.
