Specsavers Guernsey Youth Games
Thank you to Andrew Collenette for providing the photos
To view more photos from Grant Dowinton
Background
The idea of a Youth Games for Guernsey began in the mind of Sports Development Manager, Graham Chester, back in 1996, when the Sports Development Unit was in its infancy.
Graham’s vision was for an inter-parish competition with both team and individual sports involved, and a set of criteria for entry to the Games, which would enable participants to take part on a more equal footing. The entrants would be from Years 5 and 6 of the local Primary schools, which represented the age-bracket of 9 - 11.
There was of course an immediate stumbling block. How could Torteval with only 17 children in that age-range, compete against the mighty St Peter Port with 312!
Graham was adamant that the Games be a parochial affair, giving children a real sense of belonging, an opportunity to forge new friendships within their immediate community and a feeling of pride at representing their parish. However, it was not as simple as dividing the Island into 4 sections.
A working party of Kathy Stuart, Sports Development Officer; Jason Shambrook, Youth Cricket Coach; Jo Staples, G.A.S.P.; and Terry Bates, Athletics Development Officer was formed to decide on a plan of action.
The advent of the new Machinery of Government changes and the creation of seven voting districts, each with similar population figures, gave the Sports Development Unit the basis for competition that it had been looking for. And so, the Guernsey Youth Games was born.
The principle aim of the Games was to promote the value of sport to the young people of the Island, and therefore the emphasis of the Games would be on fun, fair play and the creation of a festival atmosphere. The 2005 Games would provide an opportunity for young people to take part in a large-scale event, whilst providing a positive sporting experience and encouraging them to continue to play sport. The event would hopefully encourage the young people of the island to establish new friendships, build confidence and improve social and life skills.
Saturday 6th June 2009
700 school children along with their supporters gathered at Footes Lane for the closing ceremony of the 2009 Specsavers Guernsey Youth Games and the Garenne Stand became a sea of colour as the Year 5 and 6 children paraded around the track led by the Samba Band and the Guernsey Majorettes.
The children were invited to compete for their voting district in one of 12 sports, with the emphasis on trying a sport that they did not usually take part in. The sports organised training sessions prior to Games Day on which the children competed against their friends from other districts.
The sports involved in the 2009 Games were, Athletics, Basketball, Indoor Bowls, Girls Cricket, Girls Football, Hockey, Gaelic Football, Netball, Fencing, Squash, Volleyball, and Table Tennis.
Points were added up for each district from every sport and the 2009 Games saw a first win for Vale, where a very proud Vale Deputy, Geoff Mahy received the Overall Winning Trophy on behalf of his team.
A Fair Play Award was awarded to St Peter Port South for capturing the Spirit of the Games, with fair play, honesty and sporting behaviour. A delighted Deputy Carla McNaulty Bauer received the Fair Play Award on behalf of St Peter Port South.
The two trophies were presented by Dame Mary Perkins, co-founder of Specsavers Optical Group, sponsors of the event. Dame Mary said “This is an exciting event which will encourage youngsters to establish new friendships, build confidence and improve social and life skills.”
All the competitors received a team shirt in their district’s colour, a water bottle and a participation medal. The next Games will be held in 2011, where Dame Mary and the Sports Commission are hoping for 900 competitors!