There are now fewer than 100 days until the opening ceremony on Saturday 27 June, ahead of what will be the biggest Island Games ever.
More than 3,500 competitors and officials are due to travel to Jersey for the Games, with many more spectators visiting for the week-long event.
Economic Development Minister Lyndon Farnham has regularly called for more support in developing events-led tourism to Jersey, and said that the NatWest Island Games would provide a huge boost to the economy.
As well as hosting the 2015 Games, Jersey is considering making a bid to host the 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games – an event Senator Farnham believes the Island is capable of holding.
He said: ‘The NatWest Island Games have always seemed a long way off, but now the event nearly upon us. The statistics indicate that they will generate millions of pounds for the economy. There will be a lot of people visiting who will spend thousands of pounds, and there will be a lot of people who will come back after the Games.’
He added: ‘This is a really good opportunity to showcase Jersey, and Economic Development are already making plans to make sure that we build on the success of the Games.
‘We are keen to ensure that the investment into infrastructure and the knowledge gleaned from hosting this event are not wasted as we
bring more sporting events to Jersey, like the Commonwealth Youth Games.’
Senator Farnham also called on Islanders to show their support for the Games and the Jersey athletes and create a vibrant atmosphere during the week.
He said: ‘I’m already planning my week and want to attend as many events as possible. I only wish I was young enough and good enough to compete.
‘I would encourage the whole Island to support the Games – not necessarily just the Jersey athletes, but all the competitors – and show what a great Island we are.’
The number of athletes competing in Jersey this summer will be similar to that which took part in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia.
THE countdown clocks at the Airport and Weighbridge dropped down to double figures this week as we reached exactly 100 days to go until the start of the NatWest Island Games in Jersey.
With excitement steadily growing over the last nine months, since the ‘one-year’ milestone passed in June, Islanders have been preparing for what is set to be the biggest and best of the biennial Games to date, and the latest landmark was celebrated at the Pomme d’Or Hotel on Thursday morning.
Jersey 2015 officials held a breakfast presentation in St Helier to outline the plans for the next 100 days, and details of the sporting schedules for the week-long event, for some 24 competing islands in 15 sports, were also unveiled.
Spectators will no doubt begin to plan their week of the 16th Games – the second time Jersey have hosted the event – well in advance of the opening ceremony on 27 June, and there is likely to be a bustling atmosphere at venues across the Island.
Also taking centre stage in St Helier will be the beach volleyballers, who are in action at the Weighbridge each day from the Sunday to Friday, while their indoor colleagues will be busy everyday at Fort Regent, in what is expected to be a ten-team competition.
Anthem for the games
IT was announced this week that Beautiful Jersey has been chosen as the official anthem for the Jersey team at this summer’s NatWest Island Games.
As well as being the official anthem of Team Jersey, Beautiful Jersey will also be performed at the opening ceremony by a 60-strong choir of schoolchildren aged between eight and 11.
Beautiful Jersey was the unanimous choice of the Games organising committee and the Jersey team officials.
Island Home, another anthem which has previously been used at the Games, but has been widely criticised, will not be used.
Steve Bailey, Jersey 2015 Games director, said: ‘We have been discussing the anthem for a long time and the one we all felt very comfortable with was Beautiful Jersey.
‘We felt it told the story of Jersey.
‘When we heard the shorter rearranged version, which will be played during medal ceremonies, we all agreed.’
Meanwhile, two children from every primary school have been selected to put on a performance of Beautiful Jersey at the opening ceremony under the stewardship of Dr Graham Cox, head of the Jersey Music Service.
The choir will be accompanied by the Jersey Youth Orchestra and will perform two verses, one in Jèrriais and one in English.
The opening ceremony will take place in Howard Davis Park on Saturday 27 June.
A BATTLE of Flowers-style float built by the Optimists Club will form the centrepiece of this summer’s NatWest Island Games.
The stand will be positioned at the main entrance of Howard Davis Park for the opening ceremony, where it will remain for the week of the Games.
It will feature an outline of the map of Jersey and a Jersey 2015 logo and will be covered in flowers in the traditional Battle of Flowers manner.
Island Games director Steve Bailey said: ‘Traditionally, the Games have boasted a signature centrepiece, and we couldn’t have found a more fitting one than a Battle of Flowers float.
‘It’s one of the things Jersey, as an island community, does best.
‘We will be encouraging all visitors to have their picture taken standing alongside it.’
The display is already under construction but will be hidden away and ready to flower the night before the Games get under way on Saturday 27 June.
Float designer Steve Bouchard said: ‘The Optimists Club are delighted to design and produce the floral display for the NatWest Island Games.
‘It is an honour for the club to play a part in what promises to be a fantastic event and to showcase what the Jersey Battle of Flowers has to offer.’
