This Is Guernsey

By Aaron Scoones

A SUMMER of top-notch athletics is on the cards at Foote’s Lane. British Premiership champions Sale Harriers Manchester have confirmed they will contest the second Blue Islands British Challenge Cup at the end of August, but GIAAC are lining up two other major track and field events to whet the appetite for the big end-of-season showdown on Sunday 31 August.

‘We look set for a fantastic season of top-flight competition,’ said GIAAC president Rob Batiste yesterday.

‘The Blue Islands match will be a great conclusion with a stack of international stars on view, but there is much more in the pipeline which we hope to reveal in the near future,’ he said.

‘There is an obvious appetite within the local community to support major track and field competition and see our own Dale Garland and Lee Merrien pit themselves against the big boys.

‘I envisage that happening three times this summer. Negotiations are continuing with regard to two other major evening meets.’

Sale Harriers are the best possible opposition for the 2006 Challenge Cup winners, Woodford Green and Essex Ladies, who will defend their trophy in August.

The Sportingbet Channel Islands AC team including Garland and Merrien, could also be boosted by some international-level athletes for an event which comes a week after the conclusion of the Beijing Olympics.

‘It’s too early to say just how many of the two visiting clubs Olympians will be on show at Foote’s Lane, but both Premiership clubs promise to field their strongest available team,’ said the event organiser.

‘We at Sale are delighted to be coming to Guernsey to test ourselves against the best the Channel Islands has to offer, as well as Woodford Green and Essex Ladies,’ said the Mancunians’ team manager, Dean Hardman.

‘The event promises some fantastic late season competition in a beautiful setting and as the 2007 British men’s and women’s champions we are hoping to bring a strong team.

‘The league season will be completed and the event offers the perfect opportunity to finish the 2008 season on a high.’

The 2005 Challenge Cup match produced a remarkable 22 all-comers’ records and delighted SportsGuernsey, who were major supporters of the event.

Roy Martel, chairman of the SportsGuernsey tourism group, said he was very pleased the event was returning.

‘We are very happy to support such high-quality events which enable islanders to see top-class sport on our own doorstep,’ he said.

‘To be able to attract such high-profile clubs demonstrates that the island has the facilities and the capability of staging top-notch events.’

Derek Coates, chairman of Blue Islands, said it was an important sporting event and matched their ethos.

‘As an airline we constantly aspire to be the best. This is an ethos we share with all our high-flying island athletes and to have such an impressive group of visiting star competitors will provide an exciting event this summer, not only for all those taking part but also an exceptional occasion for supporting spectators.’