Sport in Guernsey

Guernsey participates in its own right in the Commonwealth Games.

Joshua Gosselin racing for the Guernsey Velo Club, a cycling club in Guernsey

Guernsey participates in the bi-annual Island Games, which it hosted in 1987 and 2003. In sporting events in which Guernsey does not have international representation, when the British Home Nations are competing separately, islanders that do have high athletic skill may choose to compete for any of the Home Nations – there are, however, restrictions on subsequent transfers to represent another Home Nation. The football player Matt Le Tissier for example, tried out for the Scotland national football team but ended up playing for England.

Major individual sports include athletics, shooting, swimming, football and fencing. Guernsey's home football team, Guernsey F.C. competes in the Isthmian League Division One South and Guernsey has received a number of Commonwealth games medals for shooting. Fencing is a sport that is rapidly increasing in popularity with GB fencers such as Fraser Ward originating from the island.

Sport in Guernsey is governed by the Guernsey Sports Commission with another association, Sport Guernsey developing elite athletes.

The island's sporting county is Hampshire.

The island's traditional colour (e.g. for sporting events) is green.

Aikido

The Japanese martial art showing 'the way of spiritual harmony'

Archery

Bowmen of Guernsey http://www.roversac.net/Archery.htm

Gold medals won at the Island Games

Artistic Roller Skating

Islanders compete in the Guernsey Eisteddfod[3]

Association Football

The Guernsey Football Association runs Guernsey football. The top tier of Guernsey football is the FNB Priaulx League where there are 9 teams (Belgrave Wanderers, Northerners, Sylvans, St Martin's, Rovers, Guernsey Rangers, Vale Recreation, Mazur and Alderney). The current champions are Rovers. The second tier is the Jackson League which is a mixture of top league players, lower players and youth players. The third tier is the Railway League.

Guernsey teams can compete for the Guernsey FA Cup.

The Corbet Football Field donated by Jurat Wilfred Corbet OBE in 1932 has fostered the sport greatly over the years. Although more recently the island has upgraded to a larger, better quality stadium, called Footes Lane.[4]

Guernsey footballers warm up before the 2012 Muratti final

The annual Muratti match between the Channel Islands gives an airing to the traditional rivalry between Guernsey and Jersey, Alderney also play either Guernsey or Jersey in the semi-final in Alderney.

In 2011, Guernsey F.C. was founded and became a member of the English Combined Counties Football League Division One, winning it in its inaugural season.[5] earning promotion to the Combined Counties Football League Premier Division in 2012–13 and then promotion to the Isthmian League Division One South in 2013–14 which also gave entitlement to compete in the FA Cup.

Gold medals won at the Island Games

  • Men 2001, 2003, 2015[6]

see: Guernsey FA Guernsey FC

Athletics

Using the all-weather track at Footes Lane, Guernsey athletes compete in a number of disciplines in Island Games and the Commonwealth Games.

Guernsey has produced several Olympians, Guernsey-born Percy Hodge competed for Great Britain at the 1920 Antwerp Olympics, winning gold in the 3000m Steeplechase. Dale Garland was a member of the Team GB 4x400m relay team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, while Lee Merrien competed for Team GB in the Marathon at the 2012 London Olympics.

Gold Medals won at the Island Games include:

see http://www.guernseyathletics.org.gg

Badminton

Popular in Guernsey with players competing in the Commonwealth Games

Gold medals won at the Island Games:

see http://www.guernseybadminton.co.uk/

Bar Billiards

A popular sport in Guernsey, the local association holds an annual Guernsey Open event

see: http://www.guernseybarbilliards.org.uk/

Basketball

Islanders compete in and has won medals at Basketball at the Island Games

Gold medals won at the Island Games

  • Women 2003

see http://guernseybasketball.co.uk

Bell Ringing (Campanology)

With four ringable towers in Guernsey the Islanders form part of the Channel Islands district of Winchester and Portsmouth Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers.

Bowls

Indoor

Guernsey competes in the World Indoor Bowls Championships

and at the British Isles Indoor Bowls Championship[8]

  • Winning British Isles Indoor Women's Singles Championship 2002, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2015[9] Alison Merrien MBE
  • Winning British Isles Indoor Women's Pairs Championship 2005, 2013, 2014, 2015[9] Alison Merrien MBE with Carol Ingrouille then Shirley Petit
  • Winning British Isles Indoor Men's Triples Championship 2006
  • Winning British Isles Indoor Women's Fours Championship 2001
  • Winning British Isles Indoor Men's Fours Championship 2010

and the WIBC Championships

Gold medals won at the Island Games include::

Lawn

Medals won at the Commonwealth Games

  • Silver 1986 Lawn Bowls Women's Doubles - Jennifer "Jennie" Nicolle and Marie Smith

Boxing

Organised by the Amalgamated Boys Club since 1936, the sport has been strong in Guernsey for over 100 years.

Ladies are also training and competing in competitions.

Canoeing and Sea Kayaking

A sport that has been increasing in popularity over recent years as equipment quality has increased.

see: http://guernseycanoeclub.com/file/Home.html

Chess

With divisions, knock-out competitions, an annual open international chess festival and with teams representing the Island at International competitions and the Chess Olympiad, you could say chess is a popular sport in the island.

See: http://www.guernseychessclub.org.gg/

Cheerleaders

For 4- to 27-year-old boys and girls, they perform at special local Guernsey events and UK competitions.

Cricket

Guernsey was declared an affiliate member by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2005.[11] Competing in the World Cricket League, having won promotion to 2016 ICC World Cricket League Division Five[12]

There is a Channel Islands League in which Guernsey teams participate as well as an annual Inter-insular match against Jersey

Guernsey cricket team competing in the 2015 ICC Europe Division One of Twenty20 having won promotion from Division Two in 2010

From 2016, Guernsey is playing limited matches in Division 2 of the Sussex Cricket League after Sussex clubs voted unanimously to allow the island to join the competition.[13]

According to the ICC, "Guernsey is believed to have the highest cricket participation rate per capita with around 3,000 (circa 5%) of the island's entire population playing the game either as adults in league cricket or as youngsters in the school system".[14]

see http://www.guernseycricket.com/

Cycling
Island Games 2011: Guernsey women's team Town Centre Criterium cycling gold medal winners

Cycling is very popular in Guernsey with Velo Club races throughout the year, including an annual inter insular event.

Guernsey cyclists compete in GHS UK events, the Island Games and the Commonwealth Games

Gold medals won at the Island Games include:

see http://www.gvc.gg/

For more relaxed cycling, there are regular charity cycling events, such as "Rock To Rocque", and the States of Guernsey promote cycle routes through the country parishes.

Dance

Many types of dance are undertaken, including:

With dance festivals and competitions organised by dance schools.

See: - Dance

Darts

It is a popular sport in Guernsey for men and women, with several leagues and inter-island competitions organised.

See: http://www.guernseydarts.com/

Disability sports

Guernsey Sports Association for the Disabled offer general sports aimed at people with a variety of abilities across different ages with an annual participation in a UK Disability Games competition.

Equestrian

Including:

  • Show jumping
  • Pony club
  • Horse driving
  • Riding and hunting

with some events held at the annual West Show.

See: http://www.bsguernsey.co.uk/

Euchre

With divisions, leagues and knock out competitions, this card game is played by many in Guernsey locations.

see: http://guernseyeuchre.com

Fencing

Guernsey is renowned for its strong fencing ability. The island competes at a number of levels, competing in national competitions all the way up to the Commonwealths. Guernsey has won two medals at Commonwealth Junior level. GB Fencers such as Fraser Ward are from Guernsey.

see: http://www.guernseyfencing.com/

Fishing
Main article: Fishing in Guernsey

Sea fishing from the shore and boats is very popular, with a number of British records being held with fish caught in Bailiwick waters.

Five-a-Side football

It is regularly played at Beau Sejour.

6-a-side football

Guernsey has a Wednesday league.

see: Wednesday League

Futsal football

The Brazilian game is proving popular in Guernsey, where soccer skills can be improved with this indoor 5-a-side team sport.

see: http://www.icg.gg/sports/futsal-football

Gaelic Football

The Guernsey Gaels was founded in 1996 and competes in the European Gaelic football leagues. The island hosts its own tournament each year, with teams from all over Europe visiting the island.

Guernsey became European Gaelic Football Champions in 2011.

see: https://www.facebook.com/groups/78377631839/

Geocaching

A fairly new world sport, with lots of objects to find in Guernsey

see: http://www.geocaching.com/

Golf
Royal Guernsey Golf Club

There are two 18-hole courses and one 9-hole course in the island, with a nine-hole course in Alderney.

Juniors are encouraged with competitions and cups to play for.

Islanders and clubs compete in inter Island competitions in both Jersey and Alderney, in the Island Games and in Hampshire and other English competitions.

Gold medals in the Island Games include:

Hockey

Actively played by men and women, who compete in English knockout competitions. There are also annual inter-island games.

The men's team won the England Hockey Trophy in 2008–09, and were runners-up in 2011–12 and 2012–13 before winning again in 2013–14.

The women's team won the England Hockey Vase in 2012–13, having been runners-up in 2010–11.

see http://www.guernseyhockey.com/

Horse racing

The racecourse on L'Ancresse Common was re-established in 2004, and races are held on most Bank Holidays, with competitors from Guernsey as well as Jersey, France and the UK participating.

Judo

Guernsey competes in the Island Games

Gold medals won in Island Games include:

Mitch Agnelli won the World Veterans Judo Championship in Amsterdam in the over 75-80 under 81 kg category, in 2015.[17][18]

In 2016 Louis Plevin won gold in the under 81 kg English Junior Open.[19]

see http://guernseyjudo.com/

Modern Pentathlon

Modern Pentathlon is a relatively new sport for Guernsey however the island is extremely strong in all of its individual disciplines.

see https://web.archive.org/web/20160422035310/http://www.pentathlon.org.gg/

Motor Sports

Guernsey also enjoys various motor sports covering production cars, sports cars, racing cars, motor cycles, motorcycles with sidecars, quad bikes, karts and historic cars and bikes

In season, regular races take place on the sands on Vazon beach on the west coast including the British Sand Ace Championship

Le Val des Terres, a steeply winding road rising south from St Peter Port to Fort George, is often the focus of both local and international hill-climb races.

Zef Eisenberg set the ACU British Land Speed Record in 2012 and with the Mad Max racing team set the World Turbine Bike Record with a speed of 233.7 mph in 2015.[20]

The 2005, 2006, and 2007 World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx is a Guernseyman, whilst his son Seb currently competes in Formula 4.

see:

Mountaineering

An unusual sport for Guernsey, but Andrew May made it to the top of Everest in May 2013.

Netball

With three divisions of teams, netball has been a popular sport in the Island for over 70 years.

The Islands first International match being played in 2014. Guernsey Panthers pay in England in Division Two South.[21]

An annual competition against Jersey is played towards the end of the season.

see Guernsey Netball

Petanque

The traditional French game is also popular in Guernsey.

With an annual Guernsey Open competition held at the Petanque centre.

see: Guernsey Petanque

Power Boating

Guernsey has had World Offshore Power Boating competitors. Local power boating races for rigid hulls and ribs are regularly held

UIM 2014 class 3A and 3B World Powerboat Championships will be held in Guernsey

Guernsey power boater Peter Wilson has held British Water Speed records for IIIB 1.3 litre

see: Guernsey Powerboat Association

Rowing

Since 1894 Men's and Women's teams have been competing in local open sea races, with singles, pairs and fours.

Inter Island races, including the popular Sark to Jersey race and international coastal races and regattas.

In 1997 Jon Van Katwyk and Geoff Gavey completed the inaugural Atlantic Rowing Race.

In 2005-6 Lois Rawlins-Duquemin, Sarah Day, Kathy Tracey and Paula Van Katwyk was the first all female crew to row an ocean, crossing the atlantic in 67-7-20[22]

In 2008, Sam De Kooker and Simon Johns established a Guinness World Record for rowing non-stop on an indoor rowing machine in support of Multiple Sclerosis. They achieved a distance of over 300,000 metres.

In 2009 Margi Jorgensen won a silver medal in the ladies single in the World Coastal Rowing Championships.[23]

In 2013 James Plumley was part of the "Islanders" rowing team who broke the world record for rowing 2,000 miles around the British coast in a time of 26-9-9-58.[24]

see: Guernsey Rowing Club

Rugby Union
Main article: Rugby union in Guernsey

Guernsey RFC was founded in 1928 (GRUFC) and competes in the English leagues. Guernsey players are eligible for inclusion in the Hampshire Rugby Football Union County team who compete for the County Championship Shield

Guernsey RFC 2nd XV and the only one other senior team in Guernsey, St. Jacques RUFC, which was founded in 1978, compete in the Jersey League.

Guernsey competes for the Siam Cup annually against Jersey. The trophy awarded its winner is the second oldest rugby honour contested in the world after the Calcutta Cup.

Guernsey Ladies Rugby have competed in the English non-contact leagues since the 2014–15 season.

see: GRFC

Running

Marathons have been run in the island for over 100 years,[25] there is an annual marathon together with a number of half marathons and shorter runs organised annually. There is an annual ultramarathon which follows the coast of the island for 36 miles. The Easter running festival is also popular with its cross-country course.

Athletes also compete within and for Hampshire County. Charity running events are well represented.

Hash House Harriers, Hash House Harriets, and Guernsey Full Moon HHH events add to the fun of the sport. A weekly 5 km Parkrun event takes place on Saturday mornings at Pembroke Bay.

Mike Meinke completed the 156 mile Marathon des Sables across the Sahara in 2013,[26] starting a trend with three local runners completing the course in the 2014 race and three more in the 2015 race. A Guernsey woman, Ali Moullin competing in 2017.

see: Guernsey hhharriettes
see: parkrun

Sailing

DIngy and yacht racing are popular in Guernsey. Sailors compete in Island Games

Gold Medals won at the Island Games include:

see: http://www.gyc.org.gg/ Sailing Trust

Shooting

Shooters regularly compete at National Rifle Association of the United Kingdom ranges at Bisley and in the Island Games and the Commonwealth Games and have represented Great Britain at the Olympics.[27]

Gold medals won at the Island Games include:

Medals won at the Commonwealth Games

National Rifle Association

  • QUEENS Prize Gold Badge for first place[28] 1899 - Private William A Priaulx
  • QUEENS Prize Gold Badge for first place 1975 - Charles MY Trotter
  • Grand Aggregate Silver Cross for second place 2008 - Nicholas C Mace[29]

Skateboarding

Introduced to Guernsey in the 1960s, a new park built in 2013 at Beau Sejour attracts many new participants

Guernsey Extreme Sports Association organises pro riders and skaters events

Skittles

With three divisions of leagues, it has been a popular sport in Guernsey for many years, played at the Hampshire Lodge.

see: Sarnia Skittles

Snooker & Billiards

Guernsey Snooker run four team leagues, three individual leagues, knockouts and annual Open Competitions for both Snooker and Billiards.

Inter-insular competitions also take place.

see: Guernsey Snooker

Softball

Two divisions of teams with an Inter Island competition at the end of each season.

Guernsey Softball Association see Guernsey Softball

Squash

Guernsey holds a Guernsey Open Championship annually.

Guernsey's Chris Simpson is a world ranked squash player.[30]

Guernsey players compete in the Island Games, the Commonwealth Games and from 2017 in the European Team Championships Div 3[31]

Gold medals won in Island Games include

Surfing

Surfing at Vazon beach on Guernsey's west coast has been a popular sport for many years.

Johnny Wallbridge coming first in the seniors division of 2015 Magic Seaweed British National Surf Championships.[32]

see: http://www.guernseysurfclub.com/

Swimming

Water based sports, both sea and pool based are popular, with many Islanders competing in the annual Charity Swimarathon and competitively in the Island Games and Commonwealth Games

Gold Medals won at the Island Games include:

see http://www.gasa.org.gg/

Table Tennis

Member of the European Table Tennis Union

The GTTA centre, located next to the Hougue du Pommier, is equipped with 12 match tables, 6 training tables, a bar and a small café area.

Guernsey teams compete in UK leagues and in Island Games and the Commonwealth Games

Gold medals won in the Island Games include:

see http://www.gtta.org.uk/

Tag Rugby

This non contact sport is played by men and women of all ages, with all primary schools participating in the sport.

see: http://www.tryrugby.gg/index.php/tag_rugby/

Tennis

As Guernsey has the second oldest tennis club in the world, at Kings, with courts built in 1875, you would be quite correct in saying that Tennis is a sport Guernsey loves.

With six indoor and outdoor facilities at a number of locations, clubs are associated to the Lawn Tennis Association

Guernsey's Heather Watson is a world ranked tennis player and WTA title holder. Competing for Team GB in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, and winning Wimbledon Mixed Doubles in 2016

Guernsey players compete in the Island Games and Commonwealth Games as well as playing Inter Island games against Jersey and competing in Channel Island Teams in Aegon County Cup summer and winter events.

Gold medals won in the Island Games include:

Tenpin Bowling

With leagues for men and women, organised by the Guernsey Tenpin Bowling Association

Guernsey has competed tenpin bowling at the Island Games

Touch Football (Rugby league)

Men's Women's and Mixed teams competing in leagues, an annual Inter Island competition, and the Island competes in Touch Europe and the Touch Football World Cup

In 2011 Guernsey won the World Cup Mixed Open Bowl Trophy having beaten the US in the final.

see: http://guernseytouch.org.gg/

Triathlon

Guernsey participants compete in a number of events including the Island Games and Commonwealth Games

Gold medals won in the Island Games include:

see http://www.guernseytriathlon.com/

Volleyball

With leagues for Men and Women and a Mixed League, as well as an annual Guernsey Open Competition and inter-insular against Jersey.

see: http://volleyballguernsey.com/

Walking

Sarnia Walking Club hold events throughout the year for men and women covering many different distances.

The annual church-to-church competition, where competitors have to touch each parish church in a 19.4 mile race is a special Guernsey event attracting world class competitors.[37] This race has been walked for well over 70 years, although if you believe the Guppy 'Stone de Croze'[38] cartoons, its more like 7,000 years.

Guernsey competitors also compete in English Race Walking Association events and the 20 km walk in the Commonwealth Games.

Annual charity walks also take place including a round the Island race.

Water Polo

Used to be played in Saint Peter Port harbour, but nowadays in pools, such as at St Sampson's school.

Inter insular matches are held regularly.

Windsurfing/Sailboarding

Guernsey's west coast provides good facilities for keen windsurfers. Island competitors have entered International Formula Windsurfing Class events.

Gold medals won at the Island Games include:

see http://www.gbsa.org.gg/

See also

References
  1. "Medals start to stack up". archerygb.org.
  2. "Island Games 2015: Archers and cyclists win medals". BBC.
  3. "Artistic Rollerskating". T H E G U E R N S E Y E I S T E D D F O D.
  4. BBC photo of Guernsey Stadium
  5. "Guernsey FC secure Combined Counties Division One title". BBC Sport. 24 March 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  6. "Guernsey men beat Isle of Man to win gold". BBc Sport.
  7. "Another world title for Merrien". Guernsey Press.
  8. "PREVIOUS WINNERS". BIIBC.
  9. "Alison Merrien wins two British Isles Indoor titles". BBC.
  10. "IIG05 Games Results". BBC.
  11. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 14 October 2007. Retrieved 8 October 2007.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. "Guernsey survive scare to beat Norway and win promotion to ICC World Cricket League Division 5". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  13. "Guernsey to Join Sussex Cricket League from 2016". BBC. 14 April 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
  14. "Guernsey". ICC.
  15. "IG07". BBC.
  16. "Island Games 2015: Jersey's Constable wins badminton medals". BBC Sport.
  17. "Mitch Agnelli wins World Veteran Judo Championship". Guernsey Sports. 25 September 2015.
  18. "7th IJF World Veterans Judo Championships, 2015" (PDF). International Judo Federation.
  19. "English Junior Open gold medal for Plevin". Guernsey Press. 16 March 2016.
  20. http://guernseypress.com/news/2015/05/19/zef-rides-his-turbine-powered-bike-into-record-books-again
  21. "Guernsey Panthers unexpectedly earn their first ever promotion". Guernsey Press. 10 April 2017.
  22. "Rower wed after Atlantic crossing". BBC. 28 February 2006.
  23. "Jorgensen's silver lining". Guernsey Press date 2 November 2009.
  24. "The Islanders complete GB Row 2013 race in record time". BBC. 27 June 2013.
  25. "Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management Guernsey Marathon 28th August 2016". Guernsey Marathon.
  26. "Mike Meinke's Marathon des Sables 2013". societe.org.gg.
  27. "Commonwealth hero is mourned". Guernsey Press.
  28. http://www.nra.org.uk/common/asp/results/queens.asp?site=NRA
  29. http://www.nra.org.uk/common/asp/results/grand.asp?site=NRA
  30. BBC (18 September 2013). "Guernsey's Chris Simpson excited by career milestone". BBC.com. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  31. "European Team Squash Champs Div III 2017". etc3jersey. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  32. "2015 Magicseaweed British National Surf Championships". Surfing Great Britain.
  33. "Guernsey win three gold medals on final day". BBC.co.uk.
  34. "Alice Loveridge wins two gold medals". BBC.
  35. "Island Games 2015: Guernsey and Jersey win tennis gold medals=BBC". Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  36. "Sam still learning". Guernsey Press.
  37. "Church to Church 19.4 miles road walk". wordpress.com.
  38. "stone de croze".
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