Can we break tape to land national award?
PRIDE would be Cam Chalmers’ overwhelming feeling if Guernsey goes all the way in England Athletics’ national club of the year awards.
Guernsey Athletics have already celebrated a landmark victory over 50-plus South East clubs at the regional volunteer awards, staged via Zoom, with special consideration given to their dynamic response to Covid.
They have now made England Athletics’ national volunteer shortlist after salvaging a full season as clubs across the British Isles floundered amid restrictions.
Olympic hopeful Chalmers, who relocated from Cardiff to escape the roadblocks faced by his fellow elites, is just one of many praising Guernsey’s exceptional handling of the pandemic.
‘I would be very proud to be part of a club that’s done such a good job,’ Chalmers said.
‘We’ve done a fantastic job, obviously not only as an athletics club, but first things first, as an island to even make it possible.
‘It’s great that everyone got that chance. People [in the UK] just tried to do their best and it’s so case-by-case... it’s been a stress that people in Guernsey haven’t had to deal with because the response was so good.’
Among Guernsey’s most meritable achievements was piloting the British Isles’ first post-lockdown track and field meet before nationwide guidance.
England Athletics CEO Chris Jones said that Guernsey’s dynamic approach ‘demonstrated all that was positive’ about the sport.
‘Their innovation, collaborative and “can do” attitude meant that clubs and their athletes were able to return sooner rather than later and in a safe and regulated way, enjoying both training and competitions for all.’
