But, following an open meeting to discuss the future of the organisation, held at the Town Hall last night, Raymond remains confident that the Council is needed, regardless of whether or not the States of Jersey form an independent body to govern sport on the Island.
‘I was very encouraged by tonight’s meeting,’ he said.
‘There was support for the continuation of the Sports Council in some form because it is a voice outside the system, which has no control from the States. We are also conscious that there are 42 sports in the Island, and we need to look after, and represent, each one of them.
‘I’m very pleased with tonight’s meeting but we have to change the way we do things.’
He added: ‘We have learned from our weaknesses. I don’t think there is any problem with that and one thing we must improve is our communication.
‘We must make sure we are telling people what is going on … it’s important we pass on the information I am getting from the civil servants and politicians, because that’s why these sports are members of the Council.
‘I don’t think we are doing enough to tell them what we are getting involved with and I think that is our responsibility to improve that.’
The meeting, to which all sports leaders were invited, was attended by just shy of 40 people, with rugby, cricket, judo, hockey, netball, shooting, squash and archery represented, among others.
As well as discussing the future of the Council, Raymond also voiced his concerns over the funding sport will receive in the New Year, following the States medium-term financial plan, which is due to be debated in October – worries that were echoed by the majority, if not all, of those in attendance.
‘We don’t know the direction the Sports Council should take until we know exactly what this other organisation, as suggested by the States-backed consultants, is going to do.
‘Those plans still have to go through scrutiny, so how much longer might that take?
‘The other fundamental point is, do we have any money or not? Sports need to get their plans in place for next year and they have no idea if they will be supported financially.
‘The Advisory Council are asking sports to put business plans forward for next year but we don’t know if there is any money.
‘Sports want to know where they stand and that is something I’m going to push to find out – just how much money, if any, is available.’
