Island Games organiser tops off busy year with a medal

‘I’m so proud to receive the award,’ she said. ‘It’s not something you ever expect, and nothing I’d ever, ever thought of. It’s kind of a shock, but it’s such a nice memory from such a great event.’

The Games were the culmination of five years’ work for Ms Bowditch and she wanted to pay tribute to her team.

‘Guernsey 2023 was a huge team effort, so I want to accept the award on behalf of all the 1,200- plus volunteers. Without them the Games would not have been possible.

‘They were always willing to roll up their sleeves to help. From mopping up sweat on the badminton courts to stuffing 5,000 welcome bags, the unpaid volunteers went above and beyond to ensure that the Games ran smoothly.

‘Some volunteers made huge sacrifices and worked for years on the planning. The various sports co-ordinators each had huge responsibility and they were all heroes.’

The Guernsey 2023 Island Games, described by many competitors and officials as the ‘best ever’, took place during a momentous week in July, having being postponed from 2021 due to the Covid pandemic.

And for Team Guernsey it was an incredible sporting success as they topped the medal table winning 54 golds and 145 medals in total.

Despite being involved in every aspect of the event, Ms Bowditch actually got to see very little of the actual sport herself.

‘That’s one of my regrets. I went to the athletics for one night, and went to the opening ceremony, and poked my head round the door at the basketball once or twice as it was based at Beau Sejour, but that was it.

‘I wish I’d had the time to go to some of the road events, as we put so much time and effort into organising them and they looked so amazing.’

Where she did get to see sporting action was online, and Ms Bowditch was particularly proud of the Games’ connectivity.

‘Guernsey 2023 was the most connected Island Games ever and the technology improvements were another legacy project. There were approximately 300,000 views of live streaming, live timing, and tracking – watched by 51,500 unique viewers.’

‘In planning for the Games, we always said that there had to be a legacy that endured. In 2003 – the last time Guernsey hosted the Games – the legacy focused on the built environment with the construction of the Garenne Stand at Footes Lane.

‘This time round, the venues were already in place, so it meant we could concentrate on a legacy of physical activity and wellness. Our Guernsey 2023 tagline was “inspiring islanders” and all the events were free to spectators so that everyone could watch. Alongside the elite performances we also wanted to promote the recreational and social joy of physical activity.’

Ms Bowditch, who had previously worked on the Sydney and Athens Olympiads, and the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, also paid tribute to the Guernsey community.

‘It was brilliant to see the island embrace the Games. Venues were packed, the road events had streets lined with people, and the opening ceremony must have been the biggest party ever in island sport. The whole island seemed to come alive that week with the spirit of the Games.’