Guernsey face Jersey at Beau Sejour in the 2007 inter-insular. Jersey have pulled out of a return this season as they are unable to field a suitable side. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0419511)

A NATIONAL LEAGUE outfit could stand in for Jersey’s women on inter-insular day.

The Jersey Basketball Association have announced this week that they will be unable to field a female side of suitable quality on Saturday 28 March and so Guernsey coach and association president Pat Ogier has sounded out UK teams to see if they are interested in filling the void.

JBA president Rob Honey admitted that the situation was regrettable.

‘Unfortunately we have not got enough of a player base to form a team. It’s as simple as that,’ he said.

‘We had a pretty good-sized squad last year, but a lot of the players have moved on this season or aren’t as interested in basketball anymore.

‘We do run beginner sessions and we have got ladies who are interested in playing – technically we could put a team on court, but they would get absolutely annihilated. We certainly wouldn’t feel comfortable putting any of the beginners on court opposite Guernsey, who are a strong team. There’s a basic skill level required before you can play a game of that standard.’