So, our year sponsoring the Jersey Commonwealth Games team has come to an end…
Congratulations to the team and organisers who did themselves a great credit, and we thought it was a good time to share some memories of the year.
It all kicked off at Strive Jersey where the athletes got together with the organisers.
Everyone knew how hard they would have to work to try to reach qualification despite the lingering effects of COVID - incredible dedication from all athletes, with some inspiring stories from Games veterans..
It all became real as Paul du Feu, MBE, President of the Jersey Commonwealth Games Committee, welcomed the Queen’s Torch, Bailiff and athletes to a resplendent Samares Manor as part of its tour of the Commonwealth.
We had a chance to get photos with the Queen’s Torch (containing her message to the Commonwealth, also with biometric sensors !), here posing with Gemma Atherley, backstroke competitor, and Stephen Atherley.
Sadly Jersey weren’t competing in the 7’s, but we nearly witnessed a shock when Australia had to come from behind to draw with Kenya - serious athletes !
Part of the fun was sitting in Friends and Family areas, in this case with Jersey swimming supporters and coaches, with the Australian team’s family behind us.
A Jersey competitor !
Rhys Pilley here putting in a good run in the 1000m Time Trial.
Great to see Laura Kenny win Gold then bump into her walking her bike to a car outside with husband Jason wheeling her turbo trainer and luggage along behind - surely not normal for someone holding 7 Olympic Gold medals himself !
And so back to Jersey, the Bailiff awards the Ken Webb award for outstanding contribution to the indomitable Jean Cross, the Chef de Mission who managed to herd 28 cats plus sundry support staff for the fortnight, as Paul du Feu steps down….just in time for the Committee to get ready to organise the Junior Games in 2023 !
