ON a dusty, boulder-strewn pitch under the blazing Malawian sun, two island communities found more in common than geography could ever suggest.
On Likoma Island, mid-lake in Malawi, more than 3,000 locals gathered for a football match between Likoma and their neighbouring island Chizumulu, that would not just crown a champion, but symbolise a partnership born in Jersey and nurtured across continents.
The home side wore the same blue shirts that Grouville FC had donned the previous campaign when they soared to the club’s first-ever Premiership title.
Watching live on a screen nearly 9,000km away, Grouville president Richard Noel admitted his emotions were laid bare, saying: “It was extremely emotional. Seeing Likoma Island in the kit our first team won the Jersey Premiership wearing, lift the Challenge Cup for the first time.”
That match, organised as the inaugural Jersey Likoma Challenge Cup, was far more than a novelty. It was the visible sign of a friendship built on faith and one that began with a simple blessing in Jersey and ended with children’s futures secured on the shores of Likoma.
Bishop Fanuel and his trip to Boulivot
Back on home turf, the seeds were planted when Bishop Fanuel Mpundu journeyed from Malawi and visited Boulivot, warmly welcomed by his auntie, Yeni Tarika, and her partner David Glazebrook, who are a part of the Grouville club community.
At a lunch hosted by the club’s committee, the Bishop blessed the pitch an act that, according to Noel, “was the catalyst to our Premiership triumph last season”.
The idea then became that of an invitation, for Grouville to travel to Likoma, to build ties, provide support and share in the island’s community. As Yeni, a nurse living in Jersey, puts it, the connection from island to island felt natural.
Likoma Island, though geographically closer to Mozambique, is part of Malawi, as Jersey is part of the British Crown dependencies yet sits just off France’s coast.
Both islands share vivid natural beauty, a close bond with the sea, and a culture built on fishing, farming and communal
resilience.
A Mission of Friendship
The travelling Grouville team, who comprised of Nathan Paterson and his two eldest children, Grace and Joe, David Glazebrook and Yeni Tarika, landed on the mainland at Lilongwe, greeted by Yvonne Banda, Yeni’s niece, before travelling onward to Likoma.
Yvonne had orchestrated a perfect welcome, including a stay at her home and an
unforgettable safari adventure at Nkhotakota Game Reserve.
The safari threw them deep into Malawi’s wilderness, where they marvelled at elephants, forests and conservation feats.
“This reserve holds a special place in history,” David recalled, referencing the time Prince Harry helped relocate elephants from
Liwonde National Park to a sanctuary many hundreds of kilometres away.
Their safari was nothing short of magical, wildlife, landscape and a reminder that human connection often begins in nature’s grandeur.
Yet the main event awaited on Likoma. A Sunday ceremony led by Bishop Fanuel, attended by more than 2,000 people. The Jersey delegation were personally introduced to the congregation and given the chance to speak to the gathered
community.
As the Bishop reflected: “We call it a mission because the purpose of this visit was not only to see places, but to meet people, share life with them, and leave a lasting impact.”
Back in Jersey we often speak of travel, but this was far more than tourism. As the Bishop said: “Tourists often come to enjoy sights… they rarely build meaningful connections or leave behind lasting memories.”
In this case, meaningful connections were exactly what were formed.
Impact That Counts
The partnership announced during the trip is already translating into real-world impact.
The club, through the planned charity Jersey Likoma, has committed to sponsoring multiple children from Likoma, ensuring education, uniforms, transport and hope.
Three of the five currently supported children are young girls which is crucial, given local challenges such as early pregnancy, underage marriage and HIV vulnerability.
In addition, Structura Lending Ltd underwrote year one funding, and the mission team donated MK 10,000,000 to St Peter’s Cathedral on Likoma, plus further funds to other parish communities.
Bishop Fanuel notes: “This kind of impact goes far beyond what we expected and shows the true fruit of coming not as tourists, but as friends and partners, living with the people, sharing in their culture, and strengthening bonds of
fellowship.”
Educational cost in Likoma is strikingly modest, it costs less than £300 per child per year to remain in school. For children on a small island this can be transformative.
Football as a Bridge
But let’s circle back to football because sport still remains the common denominator.
The Jersey Likoma Challenge Cup was organised by David (fondly known on Likoma as ‘King David’) and Joe Paterson, and took place on a pitch that was, by any measure, raw.
The prize money saw 1,000,000 MK (Malawian Kwacha) distributed with 600,000/ 400,000 for the winner/runner-up, after 600,000 was set aside for administration.
The crowd drew over 3,000 spectators and the result went the way of the hosts, as Likoma Island won 1-0 via a late penalty.
Watching from home, Richard Noel felt pride, stating: “We are extremely proud of our new association with Malawi and the people of Likoma Island. Long may our friendship continue.”
For the Jersey club, the gesture of sending their own kit, sponsoring the match, and joining the island community in celebration was hugely significant and proof that even small clubs can make big impact.
The Island Bond
From Jersey’s Boulivot pitch to Likoma’s lakeside community halls, the narrative is one of island-to-island friendship. Both locales may be modest in size, but their spirit is large.
Yeni describes the trip as “a journey of a lifetime” and indeed it was. For Grace and Joe Paterson to meet scholarship recipients; for Nathan and David to witness the match; for the whole delegation to return home changed.
The plan is already being laid for a repeat visit in 12 months, with hopes of greater Jersey involvement both on the football and educational side.
Meanwhile, the island of Likoma is positioning itself for growth, tourism, logistics hubs, offshore centres, all offering potential links back to Jersey. The contacts the group made stretch across church, business and government levels.
Why It Matters for Jersey
For readers in Jersey, this story is a reminder that our Island’s footprint can extend far beyond the Channel. Sport becomes more than a game; it becomes a link to children’s education and global friendship.
Grouville FC’s historic Premiership win is certainly news, yet the wider
narrative of connection and charity now gives that triumph a fresh resonance.
The blessing of the pitch, the drive to travel, the fundraising for education, the safari in Malawi, it all combines into a story worthy of the bigger stage.
Looking to the Horizon
Bishop Fanuel said: “The visit of the team was a great blessing for us, and we are hopeful that this marks not the end, but the beginning of deeper collaboration and partnership.”
And on Jersey, the Grouville president echoed that same sentiment: “Thanks to Yeni, David, Nathan, Joe and Grace for making the journey of a lifetime on behalf of Grouville FC.”
For now, the scarves and kit hang neatly in Jersey. But in the months ahead we might see more children in Malawi in that familiar blue shirt, not just playing football, but taking their place in education and in community.
Two islands separated by continents, are joined by commitment. Grouville FC are living proof that connections are never too far away and even the smallest of clubs or communities can make the world of difference to another’s life.
