Springboks' visit to Jersey (FOI)

​Request

I would like to know the following:

1. What was the cost of bringing the Spring Box to Jersey was to the government.

2. What the specific intended outcomes/ effects were. Economic, social, physical and social. 

3. What specific evidence was used to underpin those outcomes and justify the spend.

Response

1. Government of Jersey provided Visit Jersey Limited with a top-up grant of £50,000 specifically for the visit to Jersey of the Springboks. This was to support costs associated with travel to the island, accommodation and on-island travel.

2. The intended outcomes were as follows:

Showcasing Jersey to a global audience, growing brand awareness in partnership with a globally renowned brand attracting new audiences to the island, contributing to the long-term growth of tourists to Jersey. Enhancing the visibility of Jersey as a destination to rugby fans, among the South African community and as a host of future sports training tourism. 

To have economic benefits to many businesses in the Jersey economy, particularly in the hospitality, travel and sporting sectors.

To have social benefits, such as pride of islanders in hosting such an iconic team, and engagement with the local South African diaspora, sporting fans, as well as wider impact on the community and youth development. 

Opportunities to strengthen both diplomatic and economic ties with the Republic of South Africa. The Government of Jersey’s Global Relations Strategy identifies South Africa as a priority jurisdiction with which the Island should seek to further both diplomatic and economic relations. Jersey is already home to a considerable South African Diaspora (the largest African diaspora on the Island) and is fast becoming the number one destination for South African wealth managers. Having the Springboks on island will further support in building awareness of the island as a truly international finance centre at the forefront of banking, wealth management, funds and capital markets.

3. Aside from what is listed in response to question 2 no further information is held. Article 3 of the Freedom of Information Jersey (Law) 2011 has therefore been applied.

Article applied

Article 3 - Meaning of “information held by a public authority”

For the purposes of this Law, information is held by a public authority if –

(a)     it is held by the authority, otherwise than on behalf of another person; or

(b)     it is held by another person on behalf of the authority.​