This Is Guernsey

By Nick Mollet

RHODES’ lack of Island Games experience has been blamed for problems which occurred last week.

And it has prompted a call from the Guernsey association for future bids to be looked at more closely. ‘It was a good Games, but there were definitely some organisational concerns. This is the first time something like this has ever happened and I can’t remember other islands being so unprepared in some areas,’ said Guernsey Island Games Association chairwoman Denise Fawcett.

‘Rhodes is new to the Island Games and has not competed in enough of them to know exactly what to do and how it works.

‘We have a wealth of experience, but Rhodes was too young. I don’t want to criticise as they worked very hard and have a difficult political set-up. Decisions are made in municipalities and not as a whole. They did not know enough about it.

‘Nobody should be allowed to have the Games until they have been in the family for a considerable time. The bids have to be honest and the International Island Games Association may have to look a little deeper.’

Others agreed, but several experienced competitors described Rhodes as the best Games ever.

‘I think it’s quite clear that Rhodes underestimated the amount of work and resources needed to be put into the Games and were unprepared in a number of areas. The organisers did the best job they could,’ said Guernsey team manager Roy Martel.

‘Overall, the Games have been very successful for Guernsey. The team conducted themselves and represented Guernsey very well in all the competitions and they were good ambassadors for the island.’

He believes that there needs to be closer co-operation on the preparations between the IIGA and the host island.

Should there be anything the IIGA is concerned about, it should be in a position to deal with that at an early stage, he said.

‘I don’t think they ‘the IIGA’ should have any more control, but they should certainly be more involved than they have been in the past. All the islands are a family and all competed well and the spirit of the Island Games moves on to 2009,’ he said.

Bailiff Geoffrey Rowland was full of praise for Guernsey’s efforts.

‘I think they were truly impressive. Despite the temperatures they have done better than anyone expected. Once again the team has done the island proud and Alice Loveridge’s performances were the icing on the cake on her 13th birthday.’

‘It’s disappointing that some of the organisation was not up to the standards of the 21st century and no doubt lessons will be learned. But overall it has been a great Games,’ he said.