Still 'early days' on travel talks

'Not before time, and good,' was the response of Guernsey Hockey Association chairman Peter Stahelin to news that a working party was to be set up involving Blue Islands, Condor Ferries and the two umbrella sports bodies in Guernsey and Jersey.

Graham Chester, the operations director for the Sports Commission, said that it was a step in the right direction but 'still very early days'.

'We are very happy that all parties are now looking at a way forward and hopefully it will be a positive for sport,' said Chester, adding: 'The will is there to see where we go with it.'

Last week Blue Islands hit back at critics of their inter-island flight service and reaffirmed their belief that the non-renewal of the code share agreement with Aurigny will be of benefit to the Channel Islands sporting community.

Hockey, meanwhile, is one sport which has been quick to act to their own benefit and secured the flights it required for the inter-insulars in March.

Stahelin admitted the news from Blue Islands was encouraging.

'It seems clearer on inter-island but we are still not sure what the Blue Islands/Flybe link-up will be on the Southampton flights which we use quite a lot for our juniors and senior teams.'

• More in Tuesday’s Guernsey Press.