Five years since the Island won the rights to host the NatWest Island Games, it is now time for Jersey to shine.
From the army of volunteers making it all happen to the thousands of spectators expected to visit the venues throughout the week, everyone has a part to play, but none more so than our 350 members of Team Jersey. They have spent months and, in some cases years, preparing for this week and with the help of the cheering crowds, will be carrying the best wishes of all Islanders as they aim to top the medal table from day one.
And, of course, being the ‘friendly games’, Islanders everywhere will, no doubt, be giving visiting athletes, officials, media and spectators from around the globe a traditional Jersey welcome.
The opening ceremony rolls into town tonight with thousands of athletes, managers and team officials set to pack Howard Davis Park in what is shaping up to be a spectacular start to the biggest sporting event the Island has seen.
Three years on from the success of the London Olympics, which did much to instil a sense of British national pride, there is optimism that the upcoming week can do the same for Jersey.
Among those hoping to help invoke the spirit of London 2012 are the 450 volunteers who have been enlisted as Waitrose Games Makers to help athletes and spectators around the Island.
With the exception of tonight’s sold-out opening ceremony, all the events at the Games are free to watch meaning there is little excuse not to show your support for Team Jersey.
For those less inclined to watch the sporting action, there will be a series of cultural events taking place throughout the week as Howard Davis Park, which is acting as the Games Village, including a Genuine Jersey market and a screening of a performance of Cinderella from the Rennes Opera House.
As well as the JEP, which will be providing daily coverage of the Games including a 16-page supplement each day, around 50 media organisations from around the world will be covering the event, broadcasting images of the Island across the globe.
Around 3,000 athletes from 24 competing islands have descended on the Island to battle it out for places on top of the podium and one of the 1,664 medals on offer.
Steve Bailey, Games director of Jersey 2015, said: ‘Everything is in place and the final adjustments are being made – we are in a very good place at the moment.
‘We have been preparing for the opening ceremony and Howard Davis Park looks spectacular, as do the other venues.
‘As we run up to the opening, I would say to the Island enjoy the 900 events we have got – they are all free and will be fantastic to watch.
‘There may be some traffic disruption at times and I would ask Islanders to be patient and support the athletes from all the islands.’
He added: ‘This is our Olympics and is something that we, as an Island, should all get behind and enjoy while it is here.’
