AS the Sports Editor of the Jersey Evening Post, the new year not only brings a wave of excitement for what’s ahead, but a poignant reminder of the extensive success of our local teams and individuals across 2024.
While the first week of January is a time to plant new seeds, to pen a new chapter in the book of life, it’s also the ideal period to take stock and reminisce.
Three years ago, when I embarked on my journey to document our Island’s sporting excellence, I was blissfully unaware of the profound impact our sports stars would have on my life.
I am frequently amazed and inspired by the vast achievements that ooze from our tiny rock in the English Channel.
Being in a position to tell their tale is a privilege I do not take for granted and the various messages of gratitude throughout the year go a long way in validating how vital our role is, with regards to informing the public on sporting successes deserving of celebration.
However, the role of sport goes far beyond the elite level.
At a time where mental health is increasingly in the spotlight, sport has served as an escape for thousands of Islanders, from the day-to-day stresses of life.
Whether it be part of the various run clubs on offer, or joining a local sports team across the many disciplines available, the positive impact sport has on wellbeing is undeniable.
Upon my own research looking back on a leap year 2024, it became clear how challenging a task I had in capturing the extensive triumphs from our Bailiwick.
While it is impossible to reflect on all, I felt it was only right to recap on a handful of stories that stole the headlines in 2024.
While I was quite proud of myself for completing my first half-marathon, Joe Parkinson’s feat bordered on the obscene.
No stranger to straining the limits of human capability, Parkinson successfully completed a continuous Double Ironman around Jersey.
The staggering mission over the weekend of September 21-22 took a total of 32hrs 25mins, with a moving time of 28hrs 46mins.
His 4.8-mile swim took 3hrs 26mins, the 224-mile bike 13hrs 40mins and the 52.4-mile run to finish lasted 10hrs 53mins.
Is it possible to top his 2024? The local public wait in eager anticipation of his next mind-blowing challenge.
Meanwhile, rugby in Jersey has been a staple of success for a number of years. Following the demise of the RFU Championship-winning Jersey Reds, all eyes turned to the amateur arm of the club, who thrived under trying circumstances.
2024 proved no different, with Jersey RFC’s men’s and women’s sides lifting their respective league titles to climb the English rugby union system.
With half of the 2024/25 season complete, Myles Landick’s men occupy second spot in Regional 1 South Central with 11 wins from 12, second only to the faultless London Welsh who lead the way with 13 successive victories.
While the women have had a much more challenging start to the campaign, plagued by injuries to key personnel, the foundations are in place for the side to thrive and grow moving forward.
I’m beginning to run out of superlatives to describe Tigers Swimming Club and those individuals that represent them. Tigers continued to excel on the national and international stage in 2024, a credit to the hard work of the swimmers and coaching staff that sacrifice their time.
Founded in 1973, the local club quickly became a breeding ground for swimmers looking to make a splash overseas.
Over 50 years later and the new wave, spearheaded by teenage sensation Filip Nowacki, continue to prove that Tigers are year upon year, one of the highest-achieving sporting clubs in the Island.
Netball remains the largest female representative sport in Jersey, and 2024 saw the formation of a Team Jets 2 side.
The development squad offers fledgling talent rising through the ranks of local netball, the opportunity to compete and improve against top mainland opposition.
The additional exposure to high-level competition for Jersey’s budding stars should stand them in great stead to compliment the first team in the future, who themselves, have aspirations of a return to the national leagues.
Speaking of the first-team, after an agonising play-off final defeat at the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, the side have bounced back from disappointment in stunning style to begin the current campaign.
With eight wins from eight at the turn of the year, the Islanders have a five- point cushion atop the Regional League 1 table over Poole.
Coach Emily Green’s charges are back in action next weekend, with a double header away at Hucclecote Comets and Bristol Romans B.
Jersey Cricket’s men’s and women’s national sides have been improving year upon year and 2024 proved no different under the guidance of Paul Hutchison and Gareth Thomas respectively.
The men returned from the first round of ICC CWC Challenge League A fixtures in Kenya, with four wins from five to sit atop the table ahead of the next round of fixtures this year.
Meanwhile, the youthful women’s team, awash with teenagers, captivated the Island on European soil to claim the inaugural ECC-W Challenger Division crown at the Cartama Oval in Malaga.
Jersey laid down the gauntlet to hosts Spain, Austria, Germany, and Czechia going unbeaten in the group stages with five wins and three abandoned games.
With a direct route to the final, the Caesareans powered past Germany to win the event unbeaten.
Women’s cricket in Europe continues to grow at a staggering rate, and Jersey have established themselves as a force with the foundations in place to compete for many years to come.
Individually, one Jersey cricketer excelled beyond the rest, with Asa Tribe’s incredible 2024 culminating in a first-class debut for Glamorgan in a County Championship match against Leicestershire at Sophia Gardens.
Meanwhile, Jersey Bulls underwent a transition period, after their best season to date during 2023/24, ended in heartbreak in the play-offs, after finishing the regular season in second spot.
Gary Freeman and his coaching staff departed, paving the way for a new era under Elliot Powell.
While many would forgive some teething pains under fresh leadership, Powell and his staff had other ideas.
Bulls remain undefeated in the league with 17 wins from 21 games, which for the most part, they have been without the services of record goalscorer Lorne Bickley.
The future looks bright at Springfield Stadium, and promotion will be the sole focus for Powell and his men as the business end of the CCFL Premier Division South season approaches.
Supporters will feel a sense of comfort knowing that key absentees are back in training and expected to be available in the coming weeks, including James Sunley, Jay Giles and Bickley.
Meanwhile, away from the spotlight of the highest participation sports in Jersey, our Island proved the breadth of talent on offer across multiple disciplines.
Jersey Pétanque ended nearly a quarter of a century of English domination, to claim the Home Nations Championship and prise the trophy away from England’s clutches for the very first time.
On home soil, Jersey cemented their place in the annals of pétanque, and all eyes will be on the Caesareans as they bid to keep England at bay in 2025.
Rowing’s Natacha Searson has become a household name in the discipline and continued to make giant strides in 2024.
Among countless achievements in water across the calendar year, Searson was crowned the Women’s Four Nations Beach Sprint champion, which followed a brilliant silver medal finish at the Scottish Championship the week before.
In the world of snooker, youngster Archie Greier, at the tender age of ten, continued to assert himself on the local and national stage, under the guidance of snooker stalwart Aaron Canavan.
All the signs point to a bright future for the fledgling Caesarean.
Meanwhile, Jersey Volleyball announced themselves as a real force in the mainland.
Entering the Hampshire Volleyball Association League, both the men’s and women’s sides won their respective titles.
A remarkable achievement for those involved and a great sign of things to come in 2025 for the growing sport.
In one of the staple events of the sporting calendar, Jersey Rally 2024 honours went to Sam Touzel and Max Freeman in their 4WD Fiesta Rally2, with defending champions James Labey and Robbie Hannah unfortunately forced to retire from the attritional event along with 20 other pairs from the starting field of 87.
While there are hundreds more achievements that I have not been able to mention, rest assured that every single one of you have had a profound impact on the sports team here at the Jersey Evening Post, and being placed to tell these stories is a true privilege.
From all of us here at the Jersey Evening Post, we look forward to hearing about your sporting endeavours in 2025.
So, if you have any doubt as to whether your story deserves a mention, we endeavour to tell the tale of every individual or team excelling at home and overseas, regardless of the field of play.
We love hearing from you and we look forward to a 2025 full of sporting memories in the waiting.
