Football in Anguilla has reached an exciting new chapter with the establishment of a FIFA Talent Academy on the island. Young athletes from a range of sporting backgrounds are now part of this groundbreaking programme, strengthening Anguilla’s long-term prospects of rising to the top of the football world.
The official ceremony was held at the Raymond E. Guishard Technical Centre last Saturday evening, January 23rd, when officials from FIFA and CONCACAF, as well as the Hon. Premier Cora Richardson-Hodge and Ministers of her cabinet were present to witness the proceedings of the historic event.
President of the Anguilla Football Association (AFA), Girdon Connor, who had been in love with the sport of football since childhood and who once dreamed of playing on the international stage, reflected on the moment with pride.
“While my own football career did not match my lofty ambitions,” he said, “I take heart in seeing my dreams for the Anguilla Football Association materialize before my eyes today.”
Mr. Connor expressed appreciation for the progress of the Association under his leadership. He acknowledged the major investments in the sport, improved infrastructure and the steady elevation of players and referees, as well as the overall standard of the game.
“While my Manchester United midfielder or World Cup goal score dreams did not come true, at least not yet, it is good to know that one of the boys or girls coming through this FIFA Academy could achieve that feat, and that is incredibly exciting for me,” said Mr. Connor.
He emphasized that the success of the AFA has been driven by his commitment to the PACE: Planning, Advocating, Collaborating and Executing. “We are pushing our way into rooms to give Anguilla seats and voices at tables that we have never sit at before,” he said. “All the behind-the-scenes work has brought light to the turf pitch, the dorms, the buses, club subventions, our C-License Convention status and so many other developments that we have achieved in recent years.”
“The transition to official Academy status now marks Anguilla’s significant progress in meeting FIFA’s criteria, and this is just another milestone in the AFA’s growing list of achievements,” he stated. “It gives our players opportunities for tremendous individual growth, technical development, an education mindset, discipline, leadership, and holistic personal development.”
“Academies are where careers are built and where bright futures are cultivated,” he said.
Meanwhile, Anguilla’s Under-17 Women’s Team is currently in Nicaragua for the start of FIFA’s Under-17 Women’s World Cup. Anguilla is in Group E where they will face off with Costa Rica, their regional rivals Cuba and Grenada, and their neighbours, the British Virgin Islands. Anguilla’s team comprises 20 young women who are under the leadership of Head Coach Benjamin Gooden, and they are supported by a full technical and management team.
