Sports Council’s rallying call on funding

In July, UK-based consultants Knight Kavanagh and Page revealed suggestions for an organisation to bring about better ‘cohesion’ for those in charge of improving the physical standards of Islanders.

Now, Council chairman Hugh Raymond wants to garner the views of local sports men and women – and he is urging sports leaders to attend en masse.

‘There are a few points we want to discuss,’ he explained.

‘Firstly, do our sports want this proposed independent body? Secondly, where do our sports want the Sports Council to fit in?

‘But, perhaps most importantly, with the States discussing funding at the moment we need to remind politicians just how important sport is to the Island.’

John Eady, chief executive of UK consultants Knight, Kavanagh and Page, presented his suggestions to the public in July Picture: DAVID FERGUSON

He added: ‘It’s now harder than ever to source sponsorship from private companies – and sponsors want much more for their money than they used to – so I feel the States’ funding is as important as ever.

‘If the money sports currently get through the Advisory Council is withdrawn, I don’t know how we replace that.

‘We want to remind all sports that it is up to them to get in touch with politicians – senators, deputies, constables – and keep banging the drum for sport.’

On discussions surrounding the future of the Sports Council, Raymond continued: ‘I’m big and old enough not to take offence so I’d love to hear what they want from us.

‘Perhaps it’s time for us to call a halt after all these years but I think it’s clear that if we do continue, we need to change; we need to be more involved and get stuck in.’

The meeting will take place next Wednesday, 16 September, at the Town Hall at 6 pm.

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