AND this year’s nominations for the most improved also-rans of 2007 are… Awards nights can be a bit like that, trophies being handed out for the sake of being handed out, creating the impression that everyone is wonderful and, in the process, diluting the overall effect of a worthwhile cause to celebrate the very best achievements.
The Sportingbet Channel Islands Sports Personality of the Year night has, so far, avoided that particular trap and, as next week’s Guernsey Sports Commission Garenne Group sponsored celebration night will also demonstrate, there is a limit to the number of gongs to hand out before it all becomes a bit silly and tiresome for the audience.
Thursday’s black-tie gala was another visual rubber-stamp of the excellence of modern Channel Islands sport.
Each year, the award shortlists become increasingly impressive and it’s a massive achievement simply to get your name in the programme.
The NatWest Rising Star category hottens by the year and this year’s three Sarnian challengers for the top junior (under-21 actually) underlined that quality: two British champions and a cricketer who shows every sign of becoming a fully-fledged professional.
The limit on just four nominees further raises the stakes and you have to feel for the outstanding kids who do not get nominated.
Jersey have a future Olympic shot-putter in Jamie Stevenson who did not make the cut, Guernsey a fantastically talented rifle shot in Nick Branch.
In truth, there are dozens and dozens in both the main islands who are a credit to today’s youth, working their socks off to set personal bests in their chosen sport while studying in an increasingly competitive race for academic credentials.
You will not find them hanging around street corners, daubing, vandalising, threatening by their mere collective presence, unfocused on something worthwhile and pathetically claiming there is nothing for them to do.
Guernsey caters for youth well and in the week the Respect Guernsey campaign was launched it’s worth reminding everyone of the power of sport and the benefits it can bring to not only the individual, but the community as a whole.
The point is not lost on the excellent Commission who have their own community sports development officer in Laurel Garfield. If there is a weakness, it remains a shortage of serious funding for sport and leisure, particularly in getting the talented youngsters off the rock to pit their skills against the UK’s best.
Andy Priaulx’s final words as he left the Beau Sejour stage on Thursday night were along the lines of ‘let’s back our future champions,’ but sadly, still the States undervalues the real importance of sport in an era when obesity and street crime are so prevalent.
Power of sport yet to be fully recognised
By Rob Batiste
AND this year’s nominations for the most improved also-rans of 2007 are… Awards nights can be a bit like that, trophies being handed out for the sake of being handed out, creating the impression that everyone is wonderful and, in the process, diluting the overall effect of a worthwhile cause to celebrate the very best achievements.
The Sportingbet Channel Islands Sports Personality of the Year night has, so far, avoided that particular trap and, as next week’s Guernsey Sports Commission Garenne Group sponsored celebration night will also demonstrate, there is a limit to the number of gongs to hand out before it all becomes a bit silly and tiresome for the audience.
Thursday’s black-tie gala was another visual rubber-stamp of the excellence of modern Channel Islands sport.
Each year, the award shortlists become increasingly impressive and it’s a massive achievement simply to get your name in the programme.
The NatWest Rising Star category hottens by the year and this year’s three Sarnian challengers for the top junior (under-21 actually) underlined that quality: two British champions and a cricketer who shows every sign of becoming a fully-fledged professional.
The limit on just four nominees further raises the stakes and you have to feel for the outstanding kids who do not get nominated.
Jersey have a future Olympic shot-putter in Jamie Stevenson who did not make the cut, Guernsey a fantastically talented rifle shot in Nick Branch.
In truth, there are dozens and dozens in both the main islands who are a credit to today’s youth, working their socks off to set personal bests in their chosen sport while studying in an increasingly competitive race for academic credentials.
You will not find them hanging around street corners, daubing, vandalising, threatening by their mere collective presence, unfocused on something worthwhile and pathetically claiming there is nothing for them to do.
Guernsey caters for youth well and in the week the Respect Guernsey campaign was launched it’s worth reminding everyone of the power of sport and the benefits it can bring to not only the individual, but the community as a whole.
The point is not lost on the excellent Commission who have their own community sports development officer in Laurel Garfield. If there is a weakness, it remains a shortage of serious funding for sport and leisure, particularly in getting the talented youngsters off the rock to pit their skills against the UK’s best.
Andy Priaulx’s final words as he left the Beau Sejour stage on Thursday night were along the lines of ‘let’s back our future champions,’ but sadly, still the States undervalues the real importance of sport in an era when obesity and street crime are so prevalent.
Funding sport repays in so many ways.
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