23 April 2012
More than 70 French sportsmen and women will be coming to Jersey this week to take part in the inaugural Tournoi Multisports Tournament.
The sporting event, which features football, tennis and table tennis competitions, will take place over the weekend of 28 and 29 April and is the first of its kind.
It has come about as a result of discussions between the county council of La Manche in Normandy and the States of Jersey. The 2 authorities have held regular meetings since 2006 to liaise over common issues and development opportunities.
The French delegation will be lead by Monsieur Jacky Bouvet, the Conseiller General de La Manche.
The schedule includes:
- footballers will train at the FB Fields on Saturday and play against Jersey’s under 14 and under 18 teams on Sunday at St Peters Football Club. Kick offs will be at 12noon and 2pm
- table tennis players will compete against Jersey teams at the Geoff Reed Table Tennis Centre on Saturday and Sunday
- tennis matches will take place at Grainville Tennis Club and the Caesarean Tennis Club on both days
- the weekend will conclude with a short reception hosted by Connétable Crowcroft at the Town Hall on the Sunday afternoon
The weekend has been generously supported by BNP Paribas who will host the dinner and support the transportation of the visiting participants whilst in Jersey.
Deputy Patrick Ryan, the Minister for Education Sport and Culture, said "I am delighted that we will be hosting this first multisports event between La Manche and Jersey. I hope it becomes an annual fixture with more sports involved in future years. Sport provides an excellent opportunity to foster closer links between our 2 communities and I am sure all will enjoy the weekend of competitive but friendly competition."
The County Councillor, Jacky Bouvet, said "In the context of the Olympic Games, sport activities reinforce solidarity and bring populations together. The organisation of this friendly event is the outcome of various exchanges that both our territories have been developing throughout the years. We are expecting you in La Manche next year, where I hope that our organisation will be as good as in Jersey."
gov.je