JERSEY will be trying to get netball into the NatWest Island Games family in Rhodes this summer.
IGAJ chairman Bob McGinnigle has confirmed a proposition to change the constitution, to include the sport, will be put forward at the Island Games Association’s AGM.
‘The meeting of all the member islands, which gets under way in the first few days of this year’s event and lasts several hours, covers constitutional topics, changes to operational guidelines and nominations from other islands,’ explained McGinnigle.
‘We will be looking to amend the constitution to include netball, who made a formal request for inclusion to the IGAJ, and increase the number of possible sports from 18 to 19 so that it is not to the detriment of another event.
‘Netball has gone forward for inclusion before but was rejected and one of the challenges of the past was that it has been a single sex sport however, our point is that so was football at one time.’ With a total of 60 votes to be made from all the islands and the executive, Jersey will be looking for a majority decision to get netball onto the list of potential sports from which a host island can currently pick 14.
In contrast to Jersey’s push for expansion Aland, who are hosting the event in 2009, are looking to reduce the number of possible sports to 16 - dropping squash and bowls.
‘Jersey will vigorously vote against this,’ said McGinnigle who added that accepted proposals would be introduced at various times.
‘Aland’s view is that squash and bowls haven’t occurred as frequently on the host island’s games list but that’s the very reason we should have more sports - so that an island can get a flavour for new activities and generate new sporting interests.’ Meanwhile, concerns remain about the work to be done at sites for the shooters and athletes but McGinnigle is confident they will be ready, likening the situation to the 2004 Athens Olympics in which everything came together at the last minute.
He also announced that Jersey’s medical team has been increased due to the anticipated hot conditions in Rhodes and added that physiologist David Sutton continues to help the teams with psychologist, and former Games competitor, Jeremy Cross due to aid mental preparations.
McGinnigle also announced that prolific Island Games shooter, and 16 times gold medallist, Bob Blake has been voted Jersey’s flag bearer by the council.
Article posted on 31st May, 2007 - 12.00am
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