A KEY figure in the most recent staging of the NatWest Island Games in Jersey eight years ago has refuted suggestions that the Island would struggle to host the competition in the future – but suggested it could be held differently to reduce pressure on accommodation.
St John Constable Andy Jehan, who was the head of logistics when Jersey served as the host island for the Games in 2015, said he disagreed with comments made by Jon Marley, Guernsey Island Games Association director for the 2023 contest to be held in Guernsey this summer.
Mr Jehan said he hoped Jersey would host the event again.
Staging the Games, which attract thousands of visiting athletes and support staff from across the globe, was becoming ever more challenging due to rising costs and a decrease in available beds, Mr Marley said earlier this month. Both Channel Islands would ‘struggle’ to stage the event in the future, he added.
A number of hotels in the Island have been demolished and turned into housing since the last Island Games was held here, but Mr Jehan said the number of available beds in Jersey had reduced between the first time the Island played host – in 1997 – and 2015. This, he said, had not stopped a successful Games being staged.
‘You just need to be creative and look at different solutions,’ he said. ‘We saw the whole community come together and Jersey should definitely be looking to host the Games again in eight or ten years’ time.’
Mr Jehan also said that hosting some sporting fixtures outside of the main Games period could reduce pressure on transport and accommodation.
He said: ‘I understand the comments but feel there are solutions available. One of these solutions may be to have separate schedules for team sports such as football or basketball to be held the year ahead of the main Games, or perhaps in the week ahead of the main Games.
‘This would allow the host island to test out their facilities and infrastructure before the main event, and potentially allow a greater range of sports to be included.’
Deputy Lucy Stephenson, the assistant minister with responsibility for sport, said she did not want to see Jersey write off hosting an Island Games again in future.
‘As one of the bigger participating Islands, in terms of population, I think it would be a sad day for the event as a whole if we were to close ourselves off to future opportunities in that way,’ she said.
‘When Jersey hosted in 2015 an estimated 4,000 visitors came to the Island, putting £3.8m into the local economy; there was media coverage around the world, employment and volunteering opportunities for local people. People of all ages were inspired to get involved in sport and the community continues to benefit today from facilities which were refurbished for the Games.’
Alternative formats could be one future option for the Games, Deputy Stephenson added, and she also suggested that consideration be given to a joint Channel Islands’ bid.
‘Different events taking place in different islands – we may compete as rivals but we could host as one,’ she said.
Former Economic Development Minister Lyndon Farnham added: ‘It might be the case that Guernsey would struggle in the future, but Jersey certainly has the capability.
‘It was necessary to make a large investment to secure the 2015 Games, but there were significant returns – financial, sporting, social and community.
‘The event lifted the whole Island.’
