ATHLETES from Team Jersey will represent the Island on one of the biggest stages in global sport as the 2022 Commonwealth Games starts today.
A squad of more than 50 – including 28 competitors from eight different sports and around two dozen support staff – are expected to make the journey to Birmingham to fly the flag for the Island.
After tonight’s opening ceremony, in which cyclist Rhys Hidrio will carry the Jersey flag, 11 days of sporting action begin tomorrow, with an estimated 5,000 participants representing all 72 of the jurisdictions which make up the Commonwealth Games Association.
Team Jersey will be cheered on by a sizeable contingent of supporters, which will include three members of the government formed earlier this month.
Chief Minister Kristina Moore, External Relations Minister Philip Ozouf and Assistant Economic Development Minister Lucy Stephenson – who has responsibility for sport – will represent the government and seek to build stronger links with other Commonwealth states.
Deputy Moore and Deputy Ozouf were due to take part in a business forum today, with the Chief Minister subsequently attending the opening ceremony at the Alexander Stadium.
Deputy Moore said: ‘Jersey has a fantastic sporting tradition and I’m delighted to attend my first Commonwealth Games to show support for our athletes.
‘We have some talented athletes who will be doing the Island proud over the next two weeks, and I would like to thank Jersey Sport and Jersey’s Commonwealth Games Association for their continuing support, and the years of preparation that have gone into Birmingham 2022.
‘This is also a valuable opportunity to meet with our Commonwealth partners – it is important that Jersey is represented at these events, where we are on an equal footing with larger nations such as Australia, India, South Africa and Kenya, many of whom are key overseas partners for the Island.’
Prior to the official start of the games, Deputy Stephenson has taken part in the tenth Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting.
She said: ‘The challenge of getting people involved in sport is not unique to Jersey, and I’m looking forward to discussing with sports ministers from across the Commonwealth how they are encouraging people to get active and sharing best practices.
‘Our mission is to increase the physical activity of Islanders by 10% by 2030. Not everyone will have the ability and dedication needed to reach the level of the athletes at the Commonwealth Games, but I hope that Jersey’s squad will be an inspiration to all Islanders, not only to watch, but to get out and get involved too.’
In addition to daily coverage in the JEP and at jerseyeveningpost.com the games will be televised extensively by the BBC and feature a total of 283 medal events in 19 different sports.
Flag-bearer Hidrio (31) will be competing in his third Commonwealth Games, while his team-mates span a wide range of ages and experience: 15-year-old Hannah Silcock will become Jersey’s youngest competitor when the table tennis starts on Wednesday, while Derek Boswell (70) will take part in lawn bowls at his fourth Commonwealth Games.
– See Commonwealth Games supplement inside today’s JEP and article on page 64.
