Goal Programme - Antigua/Barbuda Football Association - 2000

Although football is the sport played the most in Antigua and Barbuda, it has a tough competitor in the shape of cricket, a game traditionally played in all of the Commonwealth countries. But until now, success has been out of the country's reach and local players do not earn transfers to professional leagues abroad. The national association is trying to develop football on the two islands of Antigua and Barbuda in equal measure. With this in mind, a regional body has been set up in Barbuda, which, while under the supervision of the main body in St. Johns (Antigua), will be responsible for local tournaments on the island. In recent years, the national association has employed a number of foreign coaches, who, as well as being responsible for the national teams, are also in charge of training coaches and supervising youth football.

Goal has financed a new technical centre in St. John's (a grass pitch with floodlights and fencing), which will be inaugurated in the near future. For the first time in its history, the national association now has its own facilities. These new facilities will host training camps for national teams, courses as part of the various new development programmes for coaches, referees and youth football, as well as matches in the national championships. «The Antigua/Barbuda Football Association and the people of the two islands will be eternally grateful to FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter for his vision and the creation of the Goal Programme. One country, equal opportunities. One game, one set of rules. Goal - the realisation of global goals,» said the President of the association, Ralph Potter, when the foundation stone of the new technical centre was laid.