COLIN FALLAIZE he is astounded the Guernsey Football Association is considering not sending the island football team to July’s Rhodes Island Games, simply because it might too be hot. COLIN FALLAIZE is astounded that the Guernsey Football Association is considering not sending the island football team to July’s Rhodes Island Games, because it might be too hot.

The GFA executive is to discuss a report by the Guernsey Island Games Association, which has returned from a fact-finding mission in Rhodes.

The average July temperature in the Mediterranean island is 31.9C with an average humidity of 56.4%.

There are fears that there could be casualities due to the excessive heat. But St Martin’s boss and former island manager Fallaize believes not attending the Games would be a massive mistake.

‘So what if it’s 30C?’ asked ‘Big Fal’. ‘Look at the last four years. I think we’ve lost only once. We’ve gone from strength to strength.

‘With no disrespect to the other teams, would there be a World Cup with no Brazil? Would there be an Island Games without Guernsey?’

The owner of the Fitness Factory said the key to performing well in such hot conditions is proper mental and physical preparation and having the right amount of hydration and nutritional intake.

‘If you’re asking me if I would take charge of a team that was representing Guernsey in Rhodes, my answer is a hugely positive yes because of the challenges and the experiences that they would get,’ said Fallaize.

‘The conditions are all part of the challenge. Are you telling me that Lee Merrien, who is going to run the mile out there, or Lee Garland, who is going to do the steeplechase, are not going to prepare for the conditions?

‘Their preparation is going to be meticulous. Maybe I should have told Roger Allsopp not to swim the English Channel because the water is too cold.

‘Nutrients and hydration are massive. You can’t take the team away to train in 30C, but you can prepare them mentally how to maintain the balance in their bodies.’

Fallaize has total confidence in island manager Steve Ogier, the Guernsey team doctor, Jonathan Pearce and physio Mike Thomas to be able to ensure the squad deal with the energy-sapping temperatures.

‘Steve Ogier is one of our best coaches and there are some fantastic people there like Johnny Pearce and Mike Thomas,’ said Fallaize.

‘What more could you ask as an amateur status organisation? We’ve got some superb people and we’ve got to give them the opportunity.

‘Please send them. There are things that we’ve got to look at and if a player doesn’t want to go, then cool.’

On the issue of the team’s security, Fallaize has no doubts everything will be OK.

‘I guarantee that there will be no backlash,’ said the man who was the Guernsey coach during the infamous Rhodes game.

‘Steve Ogier will keep the team disciplined and Rhodes themselves are on show on their home island. They dealt with the situation and we should show our true colours and go. We’ve got a great tradition and a fantastic reputation that we’ve built up. For a side like us to walk away will undo all the great work we’ve done.’