- Eight days to go until Island Games begin
- Islanders reminded they can watch all sports for free
- Weighbridge being transformed into beach volleyball court
- Armed response unit to be on standby throughout Games
WITH just eight days until the start of the NatWest Island Games Islanders are being reminded that they can see all the sporting events – from archery to windsurfing – free of charge.
Preparation is under way to get Jersey ready for the thousands of athletes and their supporters who will be travelling to the Island for the week-long event.
One large project about to get under way is turning the Weighbridge into a beach volleyball court where up to 11 games a day will be played.
- 14 sports
- 24 islands
- 36 sports venues
- 1,664 medals
- 2,600 athletes
- 35 partner hotels
- 450 Waitrose Games Makers
- 50+ visiting media
- 200+ sports officials
- 4,000+ accredited passes
- 3 Games loop busses
On Monday 650 tonnes of sand is due to be transported from a St Ouen’s Bay quarry to form two beach volleyball courts at the site.
Following the Games, the sand will be returned back to the quarry, and Simon Sand and Gravel will have moved around 90 truck-loads of the material.
Jason Simon, owner of the company, said: ‘We are very happy to be involved with the project.
‘I think it is a very good advert for the Island.
‘Having the courts at the Weighbridge is a really good idea.
‘It will be quite a spectacle and I think that there will be a lot of people spectating.
‘We are not the only company involved with the beach volleyball.
‘Normans are supplying the materials to build the court, Houzé Construction are supplying the labour and A A Langlois will be supplying the haulage.
‘I think it is great to see local businesses getting involved.’
Asked if the operation was a big undertaking for the company, Mr Simon said: ‘We have supplied tens of thousands of tonnes of sand to Jersey Water for Queen’s Valley in the past and we regularly provide a lot to Ronez too.
‘It is not the biggest job we have ever done and we will be supplying it free of charge.’
Games director, Steve Bailey said the logistics of creating the volleyball courts had taken a lot of planning.
He said: ‘It is just incredible. It is one of the things that wakes me up at night – it’s quite a task.
‘But we do have a great team and there are several local businesses getting involved and even other organisations such as the Back to Work scheme, who will help to build the two Olympic-size courts.
‘All of these partnerships, for example with airlines, sea-carriers and logistics companies, are just phenomenal.
‘I think it showcases Jersey exceptionally well.’
The first beach volleyball events are set to take place on 28 June, with the Bermuda and Saaremaa men’s teams playing and the Menorca and Faroe women’s team going head to head.
Island Games events are free to watch and no tickets are required – simply turn up on the day.
Find out more about the games here.
AN armed response unit will be on stand-by throughout the NatWest Island Games as part of a ‘safety first’ approach by the States police.
Three specially trained firearms officers will man a marked Land Rover Discovery with both lethal and non-lethal weapons to ensure the force is prepared to deal with ‘most circumstances’, should they arise during Games week.
But the detective in charge of policing the Island Games says the measure is purely an example of ‘prudent planning’ and the force has no intelligence to suggest that the Island is under threat.
Detective Chief Inspector James Wileman, a firearms commander, said members of the public would not see ‘cops with guns’ patrolling the events.
He added that the force was dedicated to ensuring the Island had a successful and incident-free Games.
Meanwhile, small unarmed units will also be present at both the opening and closing ceremonies.
Mr Wileman said because of the volume of people and the international nature of the event it was important to put measures in place.
‘I would rather have it available than be found wanting and not have it,’ he said.
‘We consider lots of factors: the threat and likelihood of crime and disorder, the international element, the scale of the event and the number of people involved.
‘And as a firearms commander I reach a point when I think certain measures are necessary.
‘The armed response is just a small facet of the range of options we have available.’
The detective, who has been in regular contact with the Island Games organisers as well as senior officers in Bermuda who hosted the event in 2013, said even if an incident did occur a rigorous chain of command had to be passed before officers could arm themselves.
He said: ‘If an incident takes place they will then be given a separate authority to arm by a qualified firearms commander – who holds a very high rank.
‘At that point they can then load their weapons.’
Mr Wileman said it was standard procedure for officers manning an armoured vehicle to carry Tasers to protect themselves and their vehicle.
Asked if any particular policing tactics would be implemented at the ports, the officer said there was nothing in place at present.
