JERSEY might have beaten the Baltic island of Gotland for the privilege of holding the 2015 NatWest Island games by only one vote, but the victory is still a reason for pride.

Those members of the International Island Games Association who voted in our favour no doubt had in mind the many advantages that this Island has as a venue for the games – though the fact that the ballot was such a close-run thing is indicative of the very successful event held by Gotland in 1999.

It is probable that among the factors which counted in our favour were our well-developed infrastructure, the excellence of our sports facilities, our ability to find the necessary funds, and the strength of our transport links.

Other factors no doubt came into play as well. Those with experience of the games staged here in 1997 will have warm memories not only of their excellent organisation, a stunning opening ceremony and fierce but friendly competition, but also of the warm welcome extended by Islanders to visiting competitors, officials and spectators.

The Jersey bid committee, led by Island Games stalwart Phil Austin, are clearly delighted that their presentation and their promises found favour with a majority of member islands and the IIGA executive. They have received a well-deserved reward for a great deal of hard preparatory work and for their effectiveness in putting Jersey’s case.

Island sportsmen and women will also be delighted that, to use a phrase with a familiar ring to it, the games are coming home. The Friendly Games, as they are unofficially known, are a first class showcase for local sporting talent and present challenges at a level which ordinarily involves travel beyond our shores.

Meanwhile, all Islanders with an interest in sport – and others who will be caught up by the spirit of the games – can look forward to 2015 as a year in which old friends will return to test their mettle on the track, in the field, in the water, on the ranges and on the pitch.

A great deal of hard work remains to be done to ensure that we are the worthy winners of the weekend’s vote, but it will be worth it. Anyone who recalls 1997 – or, indeed, successful games in other islands – will know that whereas international sport at the very highest levels can be divisive, the Island Games bring communities and their people together.