FOLLOWING the Guernsey men’s basketballers and clay target shooters withdrawal from the Aland Island Games, all the remaining sports have committed to go.
Last week, the men’s basketball team confirmed that they would attend the Games and the clay target shooters followed suit on Thursday.
Travel and accommodation costs, which are expected to approach £1,000, have led to the sports skipping the biennial event, that this year is being held on the Scandinavian island at the end of June.
But while Jersey’s football teams are also strongly tipped to miss the games, Guernsey will suffer no more withdrawals.
Archery yesterday confirmed that they will send a full party of 12 competitors, but want the games to be switched to at least every three years instead of two.
‘We’re fully committed to go,’ said the secretary of the Bowmen of Guernsey and one of island’s top archers, Steve Yates (pictured).
‘We’ve been fundraising and trying to reduce the costs. It’s going well and we’ve got a few more events.’
However, Yates pointed out that archery tabled a motion at the International Island Games Association’s AGM during the Shetland Games in 2005, to have the event move from two years to every three of four years.
It failed to gather momentum but Yates said they still stand by view and it is supported by the fact that teams have pulled out of this year’s Games.
‘It’s because a lot of people can’t afford to go every two years,’ he said.
‘Maybe we should look at every three years to give people more time to be able get money together. We still feel that way.
‘Every other year is a big commitment.’
Football also confirmed that they will be sending a men’s and a women’s team.
This announcement came in light of rumours that Jersey were not going to send their men’s football team.
The chairman of the Guernsey Football Association, Mark Le Tissier, said that they have paid the deposit to the Guernsey Island Games Association which was required by the end of 2008 and that they have started fund raising.
They will send a party of 50 people.
‘Both the men’s and women’s teams are committed to go,’ he said.
‘We’re fully committed and preparations have begun. We’re very much in full swing for planning for the Games.’
Another Jersey team reported to be teetering on not going are their windsurfers.
But Guernsey’s own windsurfers will compete.
However, the president of the Guernsey Board Sailing Association, Matt Le Poidevin, said it would not have a full team of four sailors.
Instead it aims to send two or three as Guernsey’s most successful ever Island Games windsurfer, James Briggs, looks likely to be competing in Europe over the summer.
The island’s other water sports outfit, the Guernsey sailing team, has said it plans to send a full side.
And while the men’s basketball team is no longer going, the women’s basketball side has confirmed it will be involved.
‘We are definitely going. We’ll be there,’ said the Guernsey Basketball Association president and the team’s coach, Pat Ogier.
The Guernsey pistol shooters have also stated that they will fly the flag for the island in Aland.
Nikki Trebert – who this week won the Guernsey Brewery Salver at the Sporting Achievement Awards for the most outstanding sporting achievement by a local woman during 2008 – will compete in the pistol events, and also with her husband, Tim Pond, in the air pistol.
Athletics, swimming, table tennis, badminton, judo, golf, volleyball and tennis are all set to represent Guernsey.
Article posted on 17th January, 2009 - 9.30am
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