Community event shows that sport is for everyone
Saumarez Park was a hive of activity as different sports showcased what they could offer all ages.
The Guernsey Sports Commission’s Utmost Community Sports Fun Day was the stage for people to try out elements of more than 20 different activities.
A free event, it also heard from three of the Island’s Commonwealth Games stars about their experiences and saw the first ever Mascot Challenge.
Sports Commission communications director Nicky Will said the event was about getting as many people as possible enjoying taking part in and trying sport.
‘It’s been fantastic to be honest with you,’ she said.
‘I’ve seen the youngest ones trying gymnastics for the first time. I’ve seen some older ones taking part in Petanque. Table tennis has been hugely competitive. We’ve got all our usual team sports here, football, hockey, we’ve got boxing, there’s an amazing cycling course with loads of kids having to go on that. We’ve got climbing, who were a late addition, with queues waiting to have a go at the climbing wall. It’s absolutely fantastic. And it just simply wouldn’t happen, firstly, without all the people who volunteer in the sports and, secondly, without all the volunteers from Utmost who have come along to help us get everything up and running.’
She said the sports scene in Guernsey was healthy, but could always do better.
‘I think what today is about more than anything is showing people that there is a pathway into that sport. So if they give it a try, and they like it, where do they go next? We’ve been really encouraging our sports to make sure that that’s what they’re telling people, that they can come along on such and such a night and give it another go. Because sport is for everyone and there should be a sport for everyone. And if they get to try it down here and want to carry it on, then that’s success as far as we’re concerned.’
GFC’s Roary the Lion won the fun mascot race having seen off the challenge of Guernsey Raiders’ Rocky in the final, although there were a few antics along the way.
Boxer Billy Le Poullain, sprinter Abi Galpin and bowls silver medalist Lucy Beere gave the audience an insight into their Commonwealth Games experiences.
Billy (pictured above left) was keen to encourage people to give his sport a go.
‘Boxing changed my life,’ he said.
‘So for anyone that hasn’t boxed before, even if it’s in the gym and training, it’s an experience. And, you know, I never leave the gym in a bad mood. So it’s one of those things, you just have to give it a go and see whether it’s for you or not.’
He is currently exploring turning professional.
Abi made the semi-finals of the 200m at the Games, she shared her experiences with ActiveGsy recently, which you can read here.
Lucy has been frustrated in the medal hunt before.
‘I knew I had the ability, but it was never coming together at the Commonwealth Games, which was quite annoying. Especially at the Gold Coast, where I’d just come off the back of winning the World Cup – if anything was going to prepare you that was going to, but it just didn’t work out. As we say, that’s what bowls is, you can go out and win a world title one day and then get hammered the next day. And that’s the beauty of bowls.’
She narrowly lost to Australia’s Ellen Ryan in the final, having raced into a 10-2 lead.
One of the most telling moments in a game she lost 21-17 was on the 20th end when she found an invisible gap between the jack and her opponent’s bowl to give up three shots.
Lucy said she relives that every time she closes her eyes: ‘you’ve just got to take those on the chin’.
She was keen to see more veterans from other sports like football and rugby move across and try bowls out.
‘We’ve various open days, and it’s one of those sports where I literally tell everyone “have a go and you will be so surprised how hooked you get”.’
