AFTER a weekend of well-deserved celebration, the Island can reflect on a fantastic week of sport which will be remembered for all the right reasons.
But the NatWest Island Games 2015 was so much more than a showcase for sporting excellence. It was a triumph for Jersey as a community which pulled together to show itself at its very best to thousands of visiting athletes and their supporters.
With our sun-soaked Island providing a breathtaking backdrop to events across the parishes, these visitors were given the sort of Jersey welcome which will ensure they go home and enthuse about the Games.
For many months, Phil Austin, the chairman of the organising committee, Steve Bailey, the Games director, and their teams had been preparing for the event, but only when the Games began was it apparent just what a massive job they had taken on – and how well they had planned every detail.
Special thanks goes to the purple-shirted volunteers who made up the ranks of the Waitrose Games Makers. At venues, on street corners, anywhere that they were needed, these men and women were excellent ambassadors for our friendly Island.
And everywhere Team Jersey, who finished at the top of the medals table, did us proud with excellent performance after excellent performance.
For a few days, Jersey witnessed the magic of sport and it felt great.
Congratulations on a stunning Games to everyone involved.
But what comes next? What will the legacy of the NatWest Island Games 2015 be?
Seeing so many people bowled over by what Jersey has to offer is a welcome tonic as work to rebuild the tourism industry gathers pace. Those in the vanguard of the drive to bring one million visitors to our shores by 2030 have always said that all Islanders have a role to play in turning their ambition into reality.
Last week thousands played their part in promoting Jersey and, once again, we saw the value of event-led tourism.
Sport has such a positive impact on this Island. It helps build communities within communities, it helps us stay healthy and it teaches important lessons about everything from working together to vital lifesaving skills, such as the ability to swim.
Later this week, the Council of Ministers will reveal where it plans to make savings to address the looming States deficit. Let’s not forget that sport has a vital role to play in building a bright future.
