Long wait is nearly at an end
GUERNSEY’S leading netballers now have a firm inter-insular date to target after three years without facing Jersey.
The island’s top players across seven categories are set to compete in Jersey on 21-22 May in what could be an action-packed weekend for Channel Islands sport, with a local Siam Cup fixture, the Muratti at Springfield and a potential T20 cricket showdown also earmarked.
Netball development officer Amy Fallaize admitted such clashes are not ideal but given the Covid-induced lack of ‘inters’ since the home edition in March 2019, she is excited to see the usually annual contest making a comeback.
‘It has been a long time now without it, so it’s really exciting to give people something else to look forward to and to aim for,’ she said.
‘For some of the senior players, we have had quite a strong local league this season, and it’s so nice for people to get together across the clubs and to play together in a slightly different way, and to have that slightly different target to aim for.’
Ending Jersey’s rampant run of 14 straight senior A titles is the ambitious aim at the very top.
However, Guernsey head in with a senior B title to defend, while five junior matches from U11 to U19 level are also planned. The over-30s clash is unlikely to feature due to overlap with senior players.
Activities have already started for younger players and the Guernsey Netball Association have begun taking expressions of interest from seniors, for whom island training is set to commence after the Winter League ends next month.
In the meantime, Guernsey are looking forward to hosting Cheshire players in several age groups over the weekend of 19-20 March for a welcome hit of competition against different opposition.
