Sport in Guernsey
Guernsey participates in its own right in the Commonwealth Games.
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
Islanders compete in the Island Games
Gold medals won in Island Games include:
- Men's individual - Mark Hill
- Men's compound - Steve Yates
- Women's individual - Angela Knight
- Women's recurve - Julie Nash, Paula Rowland
- Women's compound - Terri Tough
- Compound Head to Head Team Knockout 2011
Artistic Roller Skating
Islanders compete in the Guernsey Eisteddfod
Association Football
The Guernsey Football Association runs Guernsey football. The top tier of Guernsey football is the FNB Priaulx League where there are 7 teams (Belgrave Wanderers, Northerners, Sylvans, St Martin's, Rovers, Guernsey Rangers and Vale Recreation). The champions in 2011-12 were Northerners. 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, featuring three extra teams, Alderney, Guernsey Police and Port City.
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.[1]
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.[2] 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.
Athletics
Using the all weather track at Footes Lane Guernsey athletes compete in a number of disciplines in Island Games and the Commonwealth Games
Lee Merrien competing for Team GB in the 2012 Olympic Games Marathon
Gold Medal winners in the Island Games include:
- Men 100m - Dale Garland
- Men 400m - Dale Garland 2007, Tom Druce 2009, 2011, Dale Garland 2007
- Men 800m - Alan Rowe, Tom Druce 2007, 2009
- Men 1,500m - Alan Rowe, Lee Merrien 2007, 2009
- Men 5,000m - Lee Merrien 2007, 2009
- Men 3,000m steeplechase - Lee Garland
- Half Marathon - Lee Merrien 2011
- Men 110m Hurdles - Glenn Etherington 2009, 2011
- Men 400m Hurdles - Sam Wallbridge 2013
- Men Javelin - James Menhenitt
- Men Long Jump - Dale Garland
- Men High Jump - Philip Diamond
- Women 100m - Kylie Robilliard 2011, Jay Peet
- Women 400m - Kimberley Goodall 2007
- Women 400m Hurdles - Josephine Peet, Kimberley Goodall
- Women 5,000m - Louise Perrio 2009, 2011, Sarah Mercier 2013
- Women 10,000m - Penny Buckingham, Louise Perrio 2009, 2011
- Women Half Marathon - Martine Scholes
- Women 100m Hurdles - Jay Peet, Kylie Robilliard 2009
- Women 400m Hurdles - Jay Peet
- Women Long Jump - Josephine Peet, Kimberley Goodall
- Women High Jump - Erica Bodman 2007
Team event Golds include
- Women 4 x 100m relay 2005, 2007, 2011
- Men 4 x 400m relay 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011
- Women 4 x 400m relay 2005
- Half marathon Team Men 2011
- Half Marathon Team Women 2009
see http://www.guernseyathletics.org.gg/index.asp
Badminton
Popular in Guernsey with players competing in the Commonwealth Games
Island Games gold medal winners:
- Men's singles - Mark Leadbeater, Jimmy McKenna, Darren Le Tissier, Glen MacFarlane, Paul Le Tocq 2013
- Women's singles - Sally Podger, Elena Johnson 2013
- Mixed Doubles 2011
- Women's Doubles 2009, 2011
- Team Event 2011, 2013
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 Island Games
see http://guernseybasketball.com/
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
Winning World Indoor Women's Singles Champion in 1990 Fleur Bougard and 2011Alison Merrien MBE
Winning World Indoor Mixed Pairs Championship 2011 Alison Merrien MBE and Simon Skelton
Winning British Isles Indoor Women's Singles Championship 2002, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2015 Alison Merrien MBE
Winning British Isles Indoor Women's Pairs Championship 2005, 2013, 2014, 2015 Alison Merrien MBE with Carol Ingrouille then Shirley Petit
Winning British Isles Indoor Women's Fours Championship 2001
Guernsey also competes in the Island Games
Winning Gold medals at: Men's Singles, Pairs, Fours and Team Event and Women's Singles, Four's and Team Event
- Lawn
Guernsey competes in the Commonwealth Games
Medals
- 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.[3] Competing in the World Cricket League.
There is a Channel Islands League in which Guernsey teams participate as well as an annual Inter-insular match against Jersey
Guernsey cricket team competes in the ICC European Twenty20 T20 Championship Division One having won promotion from Division Two in 2010
see http://www.guernseycricket.com/
Cycling
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 medal winners at the Island Games include:
- Men's Criterion - Tobyn Horton
- Men's Individual Town Centre Criterium - Tobyn Horton 2007, 2011, 2013
- Men's Individual Road Race - Tobyn Horton 2013
- Men's MTB Cross Country - Rob Smart 2011
- Men's MTB Criterium - Rob Smart 2011
- Women's Individual Time Trial - Ann Bowditch 2013
- Women's Individual Town Centre Criterium - Ann Bowditch 2013
- Women's Criterion - Ann Bowditch 2011
- Women's Individual Mountain Bike Criterium - Meggie Bichard 2007
- Women's Individual Mountain Bike Cross Country - Meggie Bichard 2007
Team event gold medals at the Island Games include:
- Men's Team Road Race 2013
- Men's Team Mountain Bike Cross Country 2011, 2013
- Women's Time Trial Team Award 2013
- Women's Team Town Centre Criterium 2011
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:
- Ballet
- Ballroom
- Burlesque
- Guernsey traditional
- Irish
- Latin American
- Modern
- Pole
- Salsa
- Scottish
- Street
- Tap
With dance festivals and competitions organised by dance schools and at the annual Guernsey Eisteddfod.
Darts
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
Euchre
With divisions, leagues and knock out competitions, this card game is played by many in Guernsey locations
see: http://www.guernsey.net/~euchre/
Fencing
Several fencing clubs are in Guernsey and there is an annual Inter Island competition.
see: http://www.guernseyfencing.com/
Fishing
Sea fishing is very popular with a number of British records being held with fish caught in Bailiwick waters
Five-a-Side Football
Regularly played at Beau Sejour
Football
As in most countries of the world, football is a popular sport in Guernsey.
Guernsey FC compete in level 8 of the English football pyramid, earning promotion in 2011-12 and 2012-13.[4]
Inter-Island games for the Muratti Vase have been played since 1905.
The Priaulx League first started in 1893 is the top league, lower leagues for men and women, veterans and youngsters are well attended and very popular.
Guernsey also competes in the Island Games
see: https://www.guernseyfa.com/ see: http://www.guernseyfc.com/
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 becoming 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
There are two 18 hole and one 9 hole courses 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:
Ladies Team Event 2013
Hockey
Actively played by men and women, who compete in English knockout competitions. There are also annual inter-Island games.
The Men's team winning the England Hockey Trophy in 2008-09, 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:
Mens 73 kg - Roberto Mascherucci 2007
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
- Off Road
- Motor Cycle Trials
- Hill climbs
In season, regular races take place on the sands on Vazon beach on the west coast.
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.
The 2005, 2006, and 2007 World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx is a Guernseyman.
see http://www.gmccc.co.uk/ and http://gkmc.co.uk/
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.
An annual competition against Jersey is played towards the end of the season.
see http://guernseynetball.org/Home_Page.html
Petanque
The traditional French game is also popular in Guernsey.
With an annual Guernsey Open competition held at the Petanque centre.
see: http://guernseypetanque.co.uk/
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: http://www.guernsey-powerboat-association.com/
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
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.
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.
see: http://www.guernseyrowingclub.org.gg/
Rugby Union
Guernsey RFC was founded in 1928 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.
The trophy awarded its winner is the second oldest rugby honour contested in the world after the Calcutta Cup.
Running
There is an annual marathon in the Island together with a number of half marathons and shorter runs organised annually. The Easter running festival is also popular with its cross-country course.
Athletes also compete within and for Hampshire County.
Charity running events are also well represented.
Hash House Harriers, Hash House Harriets, and Guernsey Full Moon HHH events add to the fun of the sport.
Mike Meinke completed the 156 mile Marathon des Sables across the Sahara in 2013, starting a trend with three local runners completing the course in the 2014 race.
see: http://www.guernseyhhharriettes.org.uk
Sailing
DIngy and yacht racing are popular in Guernsey. Sailors compete in Island Games
see: http://www.sailingtrust.org.gg/ http://www.gyc.org.gg/
Shooting
Shooters regularly compete at National Rifle Association of the United Kingdom ranges at Bisley and in the Island Games and the Commonwealth Games
Gold medal winners in the Island Games include:
- Women's 10m Air Pistol - Tara Laine 2011
- Women's ISSF 25m Standard Pistol - Nikki Trebert 2007
- Women's Olympic Trap Individual - Marlene Place 2007
Team events:
- Women's ISSF 10m Air Pistol Team 2013
- Women's ISSF 25m Sport Pistol Team 2013
Commonwealth Games Medals
- Gold
1990 Rapid Fire Pistol - Men - Adrian Breton
- Silver
1982 Shooting Men's Air Rifle - Matthew Guille
1986 Shooting Men's Rapid Fire Pistol - Adrian Breton
- Bronze
1982 Shooting Fullbore Rifle Queen's Prize Open - Charles Trotter
1994 Shooting Men's Rapid Fire Pistol Team - Adrian Breton and Graham le Maitre
National Rifle Association QUEENS Prize
- Gold Badge for first place[5]
1899 - Private William A Priaulx 1975 - Charles MY Trotter
Grand Aggregate
- Silver Cross for second place
2008 - Nicholas C Mace [6]
Skateboarding
Introduced to Guernsey in the 1960s, a new park built in 2013 at Beau Sejour attracts many new participants
Skittles
With three divisions of leagues, it has been a popular sport in Guernsey for many years
see: http://www.sarniaskittles.com/
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: http://www.guernseysnooker.com/
Softball
Two divisions of teams with an Inter Island competition at the end of each season.
Guernsey Softball Association see http://guernseysoftball.com/
Squash
Guernsey holds a Guernsey Open Championship annually.
Guernsey's Chris Simpson is a world ranked squash player.[7]
Guernsey players compete in the Island Games and the Commonwealth Games
Gold medal winner in Island Games - Chris Simpson
Surfing
Surfing at Vazon beach on Guernsey's west coast has been a popular sport for many years.
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 Medal winners in the Island Games include:
- Men's 50m Backstroke - Ian Powell 2011
- Men's 100m Freestyle - Jeremy Osborne 2007
- Men's 100m Butterfly - Ben Lowndes 2009, Ian Powell 2011,
- Men's 100m Individual Medley - Thomas Hollingsworth, Ben Lowndes 2007, 2009
- Men's 100m Backstroke - Ian Powell 2011
- Men's 200m Backstroke - Ian Powell
- Men's 200m Butterfly - Ian Powell, Ben Lowndes 2009
- Men's 200m Individual Medley - Thomas Hollingsworth 2011
- Women's 50m Breastroke - Helen Watts, Kristina Neves
- Women's 50m Butterfly - Kristina Neves 2011
- Women's 100m Breastroke - Helen Watts
- Women's 100m Butterfly - Kristina Neves 2011, Robyn Le Friec 2009
- Women's 200m Freestyle - C. Jackson, Sam Herridge, Kristina Neves 2011
- Women's 200m Individual Medley - Harriet Morgan
- Women's 200m Butterfly - Kristina Neves 2011
- Women's 400m Freestyle - C. Hudson, Sam Herridge, Kristina Neves 2011
- Women's 400m Individual Medley - Sam Herridge
- Women's 800m Freestyle - Kristina Neves 2011
Team event Gold Medals in the Island Games include:
- Men's 4 x 50m Medley Relay 2011, 2013
- Men's 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay 2009, 2013
- Men's 4 x 100m Medley Relay 2009, 2011, 2013
- Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 2009
Table Tennis
Member of the European Table Tennis Union
Guernsey teams compete in UK leagues and in Island Games and the Commonwealth Games
Gold medal winners in the Island Games include:
- Women's singles - Alice Loveridge 2011
- Women's Doubles 2011
- Men's Doubles 2011
- Mixed Doubles 2011
- Team Event 2011
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 Olympic Games
Guernsey players compete in the Island Games and Commonwealth Games
Gold medals won in the Island Games include:
- Mens Doubles 2009
- Ladies Doubles 2003
- Men's Team Event 2007, 2009, 2013
Tenpin Bowling
With leagues for men and women, organised by the Guernsey Tenpin Bowling Association
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 Bowl Trophy having beaten the USA 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:
- Women - Sam Herridge 2007
- Team Women 2007
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. This race has been walked for well over 70 years, although if you believe the Guppy 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.
Windsurfing
Guernsey's west coast provides good facilities for keen windsurfers.
Competing in the Island Games and winning Gold include:
Individual - Mike Birch 1993, James Briggs 2005
Team Event 1993
See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sports in Guernsey. |
- Guernsey at the Commonwealth Games
- Island Games
- Sport in the United Kingdom
- Sport in Jersey
- Sport in Alderney
- http://guernseysports.com/
|
References
- ↑ BBC photo of Guernsey Stadium
- ↑ "Guernsey FC secure Combined Counties Division One title". BBC Sport. 24 March 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
- ↑ http://icc.cricket.org/icc-news/content/story/220287.html
- ↑ "Guernsey FC: A success story". channelonline.tv. Channel Television. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
- ↑ http://www.nra.org.uk/common/asp/results/queens.asp?site=NRA
- ↑ http://www.nra.org.uk/common/asp/results/grand.asp?site=NRA
- ↑ BBC (18 September 2013). "Guernsey's Chris Simpson excited by career milestone". BBC.com. Retrieved 24 February 2014.