Time for a sport of the year award?
WHEN it comes to awards, the emphasis is always on the individual.
WHEN it comes to awards, the emphasis is always on the individual.
The two that interest us most – the glitzy CI Sports Personality of the Year evening and the Guernsey Sports Commission annual celebration – are no different.
But, perhaps, it is time to introduce a new category which expands even on the team theme. The sport of the year. The idea occurred to me when responding to the latest round of good news releases from the Guernsey Velo Club which embraced a first locally-ridden sub one-hour 25-mile time-trial by Ann Bowditch and schoolboys Danny Arblaster and James McLaughlin trading island records over five miles.
Cycling would, without doubt, be my Guernsey sport of 2008, table tennis in 2007.
There is a fantastic buzz about the Velo Club and, as is the normal catalyst to these revivals, there are three key ingredients; performance, a dynamic new leader and good infrastructure.
At the heart of it all is the sports administrator of the year in my book, club president Gary Wallbridge.
He obviously has the ideas and the drive, but seems to have an uncanny knack of getting the best of those around him.
The Velo Club has, quite probably, never been so strong in terms of numbers and real talent and Wallbridge encourages all aspects of it: road racing, mountain biking, education and downhill.
'His energy is quite contagious,' said one Velo Club diehard. He is a very popular guy and has the ability to persuade people to do things. A natural leader.'
Interestingly, the same rider made the observation that the sport is 'not as selfish as it used to be' and again put that down to Wallbridge's encouragement of a clear mentor system where top riders – Bowditch, Paul Brehaut and Aaron Bailey – are passing on their expertise to a strong group of talented juniors.
'I've never known the club so good,' said the same rider. The cancellation of the proposed high-profile town criterium should be seen as no more than an uncontrollable blip in the GVC's progress and it is good to hear that it has identified why the Isle of Man is so strong in cycling and are keen to emulate the conveyor-belt system that exists there.
LOOK at the Priaulx League table – dammit, I've done it again and called it the wrong thing.
I mean the Sure Mobile Senior County League Division One.
Well, the standings show Sylvans languishing next to bottom with only Rovers below them, an indication of all not being well at St Peter's.
But it's time to offer some encouragement to Clive Bateman's squad who were no way four goals inferior in losing at home to table-toppers Rangers last Saturday.
In fact, put Ross Allen and Jonny Veron in their side and most sides would have cause to worry.
They only lost 1-nil in stoppage time away to North and in their opening game turned over Vale Rec.
Bateman no doubt knows it will be a tough season but he has a bit to work with out west with a side which cannot have averaged more than 19 against Rangers.
Greg Roland, the youngest, again caught the eye with his good positioning and tackling, but in time I think he may make a better defensive midfielder.
In midfield, Matt Le Prevost oozes promise, Brady Lesbirel is a cool and under-rated defender, 'Nobby' Stanley gets about everywhere and there is a fair sprinkling of pace up front with Wayne Bishop and Danny Watts. There is also real energy throughout the side which, put together with the above, should give Bateman real heart for a long campaign ahead. And with players such as Kris Moherndl (back problem) and Tom Strawbridge (at university), not to mention Tom Duff (who was missing against Rangers), to come back into the side, Sylvans have real potential. Take them lightly at your expense.
