JERSEY’S inclusion as guests in the VIII Jeux des Isles in Gran Canaria last week has been deemed a great success by the youngsters taking part, their coaches, and the representatives of Education, Sport and Culture.

‘I think it’s fair to say that the Jersey youngsters from all three sports they represented – athletics, tennis and sailing – have benefited enormously from the experience,’ said director of Sport, Derek de la Haye.

‘Even though they were two or three years younger than their opponents, they competed and behaved very well and were a credit to themselves and to the Island.’ De la Haye and Senator Mike Vibert, president of ESC, met the Jeux des Iles (COJI) executive committee in Gran Canaria to find out more about the administrative requirements, should Jersey decide to apply for full membership of the Games.

‘We will have the opportunity to put Jersey forward for membership later this year, and if we choose to do so the other member islands would vote on the proposal,’ said de la Haye.

‘The first step will be for the three sports which were represented last week to get together to decide, and we’ll probably also talk to other sports that may be represented in future games.’ If the decision is to go ahead, Jersey’s formal application will be voted on at COJI’s meeting in October.

Membership does not require every island to take its turn to host a games.

De la Haye said: ‘The six islands which started the Jeux take it in turns to host them, and other members are welcome to apply to host an event, although it’s not mandatory.’ Should Jersey decide to apply for membership and be accepted, they can then opt to pay around £2,400 per annum to COJI to cover the cost of accommodation and transport for their athletes when they reach the host island.

Alternatively, they can pay a smaller sum but take responsibility for their own accommodation and food costs.

Every competing team is responsible for its own travel costs.

‘We would have to decide the most viable cost option,’ de la Haye said, ‘but obviously if we were to send a team of more than 20 youngsters, the one-off fee would work out to be much less expensive.’ The Jersey team arrived back in the Island on Sunday evening and de la Haye said that the Jeux des Iles were a great example of how sport can bring people together.