- Initial reactions appear positive after proposal to centralise control of sport in Jersey.
- What do you think about the plans? Have your say below.
REACTION to Wednesday’s news that sport in Jersey may move under the banner of a single, independent organisation appears to be veering on the side of positivity today.
With a States of Jersey-backed consultation proposing the absorption of a number of associations to provide greater co-ordination within the sporting community there has indeed been criticism, with Jersey Sports Council chairman Hugh Raymond questioning why only a small number of the 65 sports available in the Island were consulted. But feelings at grass-roots level appear to be – in the main – behind the change.
Constable Steve Pallett said following the release of the report the suggestion of slimming down the number of sporting bodies merely follows the general consensus of those who were consulted. And initial responses from some of those not consulted, including badminton, still seem to follow suit.
Jersey Badminton Association president Jean Cross: ‘On the face of it the idea of having one body that you deal with is a good idea. There are so many bodies out there it’s difficult to know who they are and who to approach, so bringing it under one umbrella seems like a good opportunity for us to engage with the right people.’
Rena Nelson, chairperson of the Jersey Touch Association: ‘Off the back of the presentation my initial reaction is that it can only be positive. I believe it’s good to have a neutral, outside point of view and having a fresh pair of eyes overseeing everything could save people like myself, as chairperson, a lot of time and money as we do have to wear a lot of different hats at different meetings.’
Jersey Pistol Club’s Derek Bernard: ‘We were assured that it would not be the case, but I am very nervous that centralised control will crush innovation because the group at the top will have the power to say “no”. I think it’s extremely important that people with new ideas are free to throw them and see if there is enough support to make them fly, and I’d suggest that this freedom for people who are enthusiastic is a huge factor in why we’ve got a vibrant and broadly spread sporting infrastructure in Jersey.’
