New bid to forge US links

Saturday 7th February 2004, 12:00AM GMT.

AN ambitious plan has been launched in a bid to strengthen links with New Jersey which could provide a big boost for tourism.

A junior soccer tournament has been arranged for this summer which could bring almost 400 players and coaches across the Atlantic from the east coast state founded by Jerseyman Sir George Carteret in 1664.Sporting Eventualities – the firm which has had stunning success with the Jersey Football Tournament – is involved in the project with Select Travel, a company run by New Jersey resident American David Hakins.The event is being seen as a ‘toe in the water’ for a much wider programme of sporting, cultural and performing arts events starting in 2005.Iain Mackenzie, of Sporting Eventualities, said: ‘The potential is absolutely massive.

New Jersey has a population of 42 million people and I’m sure there would be real interest in “”old Jersey”"‘.

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