JERSEY’S netball community suffered a devastating blow over the weekend, as the decision has been made to pause the netball inter-insulars for 2026.
“It’s been a very difficult and frustrating time for us, as we did all we could to try get this event to go ahead,” said Serena Kersten, performance lead of Jersey Netball. “We really have done all we can. We’re all frustrated but still very open to sort this out – it doesn’t matter what it looks like, we just want what’s best for the sport.
“This is a performance competition and inter-insulars are the absolute pinnacle of local sport, so we can’t afford to lose the competitive nature. People come to watch the best of the best take each other on and showcase the sport, so we must keep the heart of it alive.”
The decision came amid ongoing challenges around scheduling, eligibility clarification, team selection processes and the struggle in itself to make a competitive event that is a benefit to all. Since these key issues couldn’t be agreed upon, the event simply couldn’t go ahead.
Kersten elaborated further on some of the issues which arose during negotiations, saying: “Guernsey Netball were making demands that we just couldn’t agree with. For instance, they wanted to completely change the under-11 format and feel – which wasn’t acceptable, as that gave young girls their first opportunity to experience competitive netball.
“They also requested that we weren’t allowed to call up our Senior Prem Jets players for the Senior A match, which is something I couldn’t do. These are girls who still pay to play and they deserve the opportunity to step out in the Jersey kit, so it’s just something I could never even think of asking.
“There were also logistical challenges – usually it takes place over the course of a weekend, but Guernsey wanted to split it up. Also, they wanted us to travel to Guernsey for all of the matches, which just wouldn’t have worked.”
The fallout of these failed negotiations will certainly be felt in the netball community, as they’ll have to do without the huge inter-insular contest – for now.
“This game is huge for local netball and it’s very difficult not to be able to host it – it’s devastating for the Island,” Kersten continued.
“It’s a celebration of the two Islands, so it’s very weird not to have it taking place this year. It’s a huge part of Jersey’s netball history and has created countless memories over the years for players and spectators alike.”
Going forward, Jersey Netball remain hopeful that compromises can be made to bring back the event, as they’re “still very open” to getting together and sorting out the situation.
“There were so many barriers that came up this time around, but we’re still very open to have a conversation. It will have to be more of a two-way conversation next time, but we would rather get everyone round a table sooner rather than later.
“We just want to get an understanding of what they want, to then try to meet them in the middle the best we can, to do what’s best for the sport.”
In a joint statement made by both Jersey and Guernsey’s netball associations, it was mentioned how much both associations recognise that the inter-insulars hold significant value for players, coaches, officials and supporters, reinforcing their priority to strengthen the long-term development of the event, rather than push ahead under unstable conditions.
With both onboard to make the event a long-term success, it was mentioned later on in the statement that Jersey and Guernsey Netball would work together closely to review the current model, to then establish a clearer, more resilient structure for future competitions.
