GuernseySport
Heather, in her bid to become a world class senior tennis player. Since this deal, the largest sponsorship for an individual in the island, Heather has reached number three in the world (Juniors), won her first major grand slam (The US Junior Open 2009) and has turned professional. Sportingbet’s further involvement in the Guernsey sporting scene includes sponsorship of the Channel Islands Sports Personality of the Year Awards, the Guernsey Marathon and the Channel Island Athletic Club. Managing Director, Bob Dutnall,
explained, “As one of Guernsey’s major investors in the local community, the company is dedicated and passionate about wanting to make a real contribution, whether this is through sponsorship, fundraising, employee volunteering or mentoring. The company is immensely proud of the success of these relationships.” Wealthy benefactors have also been
basic, in most cases just an ageing mower and a linemarker; the odd club had access to an old spiker. The work, in virtually all cases, is undertaken by volunteers who lack proper groundsmanship knowledge. The States of Guernsey Works Department
offer end of season renovation works (pitch repairs, deep aeration and overseeding), but some of the clubs consider this service to be too expensive, so renovations are often restricted to some localised repairs, seeding of worn areas (goalmouths and centre circle) and little else. In many ways, the clubs on Guernsey are
in the same situation as many on mainland UK -t
they have other pressing priorities with
regard to players, coaching and clubhouse requirements, and they rely heavily on the goodwill of their volunteer members.
known to give local sport a boost. One such case in question is cricket which, thanks to the generosity of businessman, Jon Ravenscroft, has one of the UK’s best indoor cricket centres. Opened by former England captain, Mike Gatting, in April last year, the huge 1200 square metre hall can host two matches simultaneously, as well as providing an area for coaching or fielding practice.
It has to be said that such a level of benevolence is exceptional, and most sports generate their funds through more usual means, such as subscriptions. Despite the not insignificant investment in the island’s facilities, unfortunately, the States has not been able to please all its sporting groups. The impressive Foote’s Lane stadium, with its 6 lane athletics track and newly redeveloped stand, is the showpiece venue for most of the island’s major events. Until recently, that also included the annual football match against neighbouring rivals, Jersey, with
the match alternating between the islands, Known as the Muratti (after a cigarette company), the fiercely fought fixture attracts a couple of thousand fans. However, the Guernsey Football Association have decided that the intimacy of one of its own club venues, albeit with a poorer standard facility and playing surface, is preferable to a stadium pitch surrounded by a running track. On a more positive note, the Culture &
Leisure Department and Guernsey Sports Commission are keen to promote the island’s facilities as a training base for one of the smaller nations taking part in the 2012 Olympics. If successful, this would be a great PR coup for the island and would provide a once in a lifetime opportunity for Guernsey youngsters to see Olympic athletes in action on their own track. The resident athletics club, based at the stadium, originally had some reservations, but would now welcome a visiting team of Olympians or Para-Olympians.
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