This Is Guernsey

By Nick Mollet

Jersey’s Elizabeth Cann. (0168199)

ELIGIBILITY rules for inter-insular badminton tournaments needs to be reconsidered, says the head of Guernsey badminton, John Stuart.

His call comes ahead of the annual Gilson Cup clash between Guernsey and Jersey tomorrow. Guernsey’s team is being kept under wraps publicly – despite having been selected last Friday evening – so no advantage is gained by the rival isle.

‘As usual we do not want to announce the full team and pairings as it will tip the wink to Jersey, who never announce their team before they arrive,’ said Stuart, who is president of the Guernsey Badminton Association.

‘This has and does cause a level of consternation with us as we feel that Jersey bend the eligibility rule to suit them.’

Jersey’s reigning national women’s champion Elizabeth Cann and highly ranked national player Solenn Pasturel, who are both UK residents, could fly in for the match.

And top junior Marianna Aganthangelou, who is in the England elite squad programme, could also feature.

‘We are certain that the eligibility rule requires physical residency of the player in the islands. Neither girl is, but they often play them regardless and despite our protests,’ said Stuart.

The current rules stipulate that ‘the players shall be bona fide residents in the island prior to 1 September of that season’.

That is believed to be the only eligibility rule and Guernsey has always interpreted that to mean ‘physical presence, actually residing in the island’ at the start of the previous September and winter season.

The only exceptions that have usually been allowed are university students.

When Paul Le Tocq finished Cardiff University and took two seasons to train and play full-time, he was not included in the Guernsey team.

Cann’s parents live and reside in Jersey and she goes back whenever she can and considers Jersey as her home. But she does not live there and it is a similar story with Pasturel and now there is doubt about Aganthangelou.

‘There is no doubt that all three have lived and resided in Jersey for most of their formative years and the main reason for all three to move away from Jersey was to improve as badminton players, which they certainly have,’ said Stuart.

‘Personally I am pleased that they are willing to play for Jersey, as the quality of the match is improved. But I have a number of committee members and players who feel that that Jersey are bending the rule to suit their cause.

‘I have tried to agree a change in the eligibility rule with Jersey, but we are unable to reach an agreement,’ he said.

‘In Elizabeth’s case it is tricky because she was not born in Jersey but has lived there for many years. Solenn is the reverse. She was born there and brought up there, but has since moved to live in the UK. We think Marianna may be a combination of the two, but she is still a junior.

‘It is all quite complicated really, but we have always felt that the intention of the rule requires physical residing presence.

‘Equally we should be able to come up with a wider wording as times change and players can become very good and their playing need to be off-island is important or essential to their development.

‘So we should not necessarily be restricting them from playing in the inter-insular but coming up with a suitable wording has proved impossible up to this point,’ said Stuart.

Cann played in the All England Championships this week but was beaten in the first round.

Last year’s inter-insular was hailed as one of the best ever and ended in a nail-biting 15-all draw.

The Guernsey team played out of their skins to achieve that result in Jersey and the men’s strength is similar this year with the women probably a little stronger in depth.

‘We will have the advantage of playing at home,’ said Stuart.

Guernsey’s female team will include the likes of Elena Johnson, Sarah Garbutt, Bridget Podger and Wendy Trebert.

But they could be up against Cann, Pasturel and Aganthangelou. Add Kerry Coombes-Goodfellow and Lucy Burns and their team will be awesomely strong.

‘If they all turn up, we will have our backs to the wall,’ admitted Stuart.

Guernsey’s men are led by Le Tocq while the likes of Quentin Petit and Chris Dragun will add strength and experience.

Jersey’s ex-England national champion Mark Constable is in a class of his own and, whoever he partners, he is tipped to win all five matches he plays, so Guernsey will have to perform well against the other players to stand a chance of victory.

Article posted on 14th March, 2008 - 2.29pm