Martel post filled by quartet

THE Guernsey Island Games Association have undergone a radical shake-up following the retirement of Roy Martel. The association's secretary stepped down from the role at Thursday evening's Giga annual meeting and a new structure with four executive members and five non-executive ones has been implemented.

'In the past there was too much work for the number of people involved,' said Jon Marley, who is the new Island Games liaison director.

'Roy's job has been split down into four. He was retiring so we took the opportunity to revolutionise the IGA.

'Roy has done a fantastic job and there are very few people who could do what he has done.'

Marley is a new addition to the hierarchy having spent four years on the former council as the representative for volleyball.

He was also the coach of the men's volleyball team at the Rhodes Games.

His role sees him act as a liaison between the host island of the Games and Guernsey.

Denise Fawcett has stayed on as chairwoman while Caroline Wickham replaces Martel as secretary.

Marian Tanguy keeps her post as treasurer and these four make up the executive members.

The non-executives are medical officer Sam Marquand; Kat Burgess, who will deal with clothing and kit; swimmer Chris Adkins who will look after the website, among other things; David English, who will concentrate on sponsorship; and Jeff Vidamour, whose remit is travel and accommodation.

Vidamour is the Condor Ferries operations director and is also vice-chairman of the Guernsey Football Association.

Outside the structure is Peter Dean, who stays on as vice-chairman for the next two years.

One of Dean's concerns will be insurance.

'It's a pretty good team and we're looking to try to maintain all the work that Roy and the rest have done in the past,' said Marley.

The new committee are now looking towards the next Island Games in Aland in 2009.

'Emails are flying around at the moment,' said Marley.

'By January and February we should have a clearer picture of what's going on.'