Guernsey Press

Falla stands aside and Belcher steps in

STUART FALLA has called time on his 12-year spell with the Guernsey Sports Commission – the vast majority of it spent as chairman – and will be replaced at the helm by Martin Belcher.

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Belcher, a prominent and highly successful local businessman who has played substantive roles within the local rugby structure, said he was delighted to take on the new challenge.

'I have watched the Guernsey Sports Commission evolve over the last decade with recognition and appreciation of a job very well done.

'Stuart and all commissioners, present and past, along with the executive and staff team, should be rightly proud of the achievements to date. I am looking forward to working with the GSC and leading the commission in its next decade of development to ensure sport plays a central part in our island life.'

It was back at the start of the millennium that Stuart Falla led the project to form the commission at the invitation of the States of Guernsey.

He chaired the highly successful organisation through its formative and established phases, culminating in its 10th anniversary last year.

The time is right to stand down he said.

'It has been a fantastic privilege to have played a long-term leadership role in the creation and development of the Sports Commission.

'The commissioners, trustees and sports associations have worked closely together to establish the commission as an exemplar of a public/private sector organisation, focusing on sport accessibility for all within Guernsey, from children to OAPs, from participation to high performance to sports disability access, for boys and girls and men and women, and always with health and fun at the core of our strategies.'

A transitional handover is now under way to ensure smooth continuity of the commission's rolling plans and initiatives.

Commission chief executive, David Harry said: 'Stuart will be a hard act to follow.'

Yet he was confident in the abilities of his successor.

'Martin's excellent business and sports association experience, aligned with his passion for local sport, will enable the Sports Commission to press ahead with the next phase of our evolving development plans,' said Harry.

'Exciting times for the commission and exciting times for Guernsey sport.'

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