Written Report
Proposal:
After meetings with the Jersey Football Association, the Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture – with delegated responsibility for Sport – agreed to fund the Jersey Football Association “Sporting Weekends” programme up to a maximum of £20,000.
Summary of the reasons for the Proposal:
In June of 2015, Jersey had the privilege of hosting one of the largest international multi-sport events and showcase the Island, its sporting prowess and warmth of welcome to a global audience.
Such opportunities are very limited and it is therefore important that Jersey capitalizes upon such high quality events and uses the legacy infrastructure of the 2015 Island Games, to create a lasting impact capable of delivering future economic, sporting and social returns.
Football remains the largest participation sport in Jersey and attracts many hundreds of players of all ages each week, participating in competitive matches across the Island.
The Jersey Football Association has ambitions to raise the standard of the sport in Jersey by attracting high quality opposition from the UK, with teams at every age level, on a much more frequent basis thus developing quality ‘events’ that will help boost visitor numbers during the tourism shoulder months.
The funding is offered to help commission the development of a “Sporting Weekends” programme throughout 2016/7, designed to grow the levels of sports tourism (particularly football and rugby) and test the concept for future long term development.
This proposal would help provide and sustain jobs in travel, ports, hotels, tourism and restaurants on a more ‘year-round’ basis, providing more sustainable opportunities to employ skilled & semi-skilled workers in a number of capacities.
The JFA will be liaising with JRFC, Team Jets and other high performing sports clubs in the Island and has broad agreement from them to participate in such development activity and schedule football club visits so as to allow visiting participants and spectators the opportunity to maximise their stay in the Island.
Identify the Key Stakeholders:
The Department for Economic Development Tourism, Sport and Culture, Jersey Football Association, Other Sports organisations, Clubs and bodies in the Island.
Costs and benefits of the Workstream:
Funding of up to £20,000 maximum was agreed for this project to cover administrative, marketing and technical costs only
Friday 22nd February 2016