Mr. Jeffrey Webb, President of CONCACAF (left) hands BVIFA President, Mr. Andy Bickerton a momento of the occasion on behalf of CONCACAF at the event marking the occasion on Saturday September 13, 2014. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

"I urge you, I implore you, the assembled Government dignitaries, I beg you to put your heads together so that the BVI will have its best representatives. I find it very unreal and unthinkable that someone born in the British Virgin Islands, attended Primary School in the British Virgin Islands, went to High School in the British Virgin Islands, yet they work here, pay taxes, but for some reason are unable to get a BVI Passport and are unable to represent the BVI, that is unheard of! Maybe many years ago, I understand that might have been a fact, but this 2014,” CFU President Derrick Gordon stated. Photo: Provided

Tecora Morgan sang the National Anthem and Territorial song. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

BVIFA President, Mr. Andy Bickerton, welcomed the Football Officials, Members of the BVI Government and a large crowd of players, supporters, family and youth footballers. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Hon. Marlon A. Penn (R8) noted that Football's youth development work was making it the number one team sport in the Territory. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Bickerton and CONCACAF President, Mr. Jeffrey Webb. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Lucien Martin (centre) was one of several to receive a commemorative plaque for services to football in the Territory. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Numerous Youth awards were presented, including Johari Lacey as an MVP (Most Valuable Player). Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Parkins and Prentice, the formidable pair and two of the Territory's up and coming youngsters. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Old Madrid celebrate the Division One title. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

As the guests arrived at the Multi Purpose Sports Complex they were all greeted with a red carpet entrance decorated with CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) and specially decorated BVIFA 40th anniversary footballs, a welcome from the moco jumbies and an exquisitely decorated auditorium draped in commemorative 40th Anniversary flags, banners and even a mini painted football pitch with small goals.

Many of the people so instrumental in keeping the Football Family healthy and growing in the Virgin Islands (VI) were celebrated during the evening and all the assembled dignitaries were escorted by the newly created band of young football Ambassadors.

BVIFA President, Mr. Andy Bickerton opened the proceedings, welcoming the guests including Hon. Ralph T O’Neal OBE, (R9) Leader of the Opposition Government, Mr. Jeffrey Webb, President of CONCACAF, Mr. Derrick Gordon, President of the Caribbean Football Union, the Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8), Mr. Lloyd K. Black, General Secretary of the BVI Olympic Committee, Mr. Paul A. Hewlett, on behalf of the Minister responsible for Sport and Ms. Avonlinda Freeman, from the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Hon. Penn, who spoke on behalf of the Premier, noted that FIFA had been around in the Territory longer than he had and also commented on how the sport is developing the youths “in most recent times Mr. Bickerton and his team has been working diligently to develop a youth programme and it has already borne fruit with over 1,000 projected young people to be playing football. Through Football new avenues can be created for young people, Track and Field used to be the sport of choice for young people and then Basketball, but it seems like Football is now taking the lead and becoming the number one sport.”

Mr. Gordon then alluded to some of the problems faced by World Football Associations including the VI and including social disorder, inevitable rise in crime and FIFA’s eligibility Rules!

“You will see these are real and credible threats to association’s growth and potential progress. I urge you, I implore you, the assembled Government dignitaries, I beg you to put your heads together so that the BVI will have its best representatives. I find it very unreal and unthinkable that someone born in the British Virgin Islands, attended Primary School in the British Virgin Islands, went to High School in the British Virgin Islands, yet they work here, pay taxes, but for some reason are unable to get a BVI Passport and are unable to represent the BVI, that is unheard of! Maybe many years ago, I understand that might have been a fact, but this 2014,” Gordon stated.

Mr Gordon concluded with words of caution and encouragement “Such an achievement as this shows it is important to celebrate our past it is also important to keep looking and forging ahead. As you begin to look to the next 40 years I want to encourage you to continue to take risks, because in doing so you will learn how to fail. After all it is only in learning how to fail that you learn resilience.”

Mr. Webb got the crowd to its feet in thanking the entire Football Family for reaching 40 years “So much struggle, so much commitment, so much sacrifice, so many people who have given their lives for a dream, so many people who have given their lives for opportunity to others.”

Mr Webb, began playing Football when he was 9 years old and never dreamt of where the game would take him “I never dreamt where the game would take me, I never dreamt that I would travel to 140 something countries around the world, that I would be representing, in my region of 41 countries, over 500 million people and it all started out because of a love for Football,” he said.

Mr Webb also praised the Goal Project, that is intended to highlight the next few years of Football development and provide a home for Football in the Territory.

“The BVI, I believe, is the only member of CONCACAF not to take advantage of or benefit from the Goal Programme which started in 1999 with a vision of building a home for every National Football Association, let’s build a home for the BVI Football Association!”