'Get behind us' – calls for more support after netball inter-insular cancelled
Guernsey's netball development officer is ‘bitterly disappointed’ to see the inter-insulars cancelled for a third year running and is now calling for more support for the sport locally.
Amy Fallaize, a long-term Island representative, had been hopeful of heading to Jersey in both her official capacity and as a player next month before travel issues ultimately ruled the event unviable.
‘I was hopeful that we might be able to get things back up and running this year, but unfortunately it seems there have just been too many things that haven’t lined up to allow this to happen,’ she said.
‘I fully recognise the amount of hard work that people have put in to try and make it work, though, and hopefully we can get a head start on plans for next year now.
‘From a player’s perspective, I’m absolutely gutted that there’s not going to be an inters and I know there’ll be lots of other netballers right the way from under-11s to seniors that will be feeling the same way.’
This setback also prompted her to comment on the situation Guernsey netball is currently in.
Her recruitment as development officer is part of a new era for the Guernsey Netball Association, but she admitted that she thinks the sport locally ‘has still got a long way to go’.
‘We haven’t got our own venue to fall back on in situations like this and we’re working with a relatively small team of volunteers,’ she added.
‘We’re just at the start of a new journey and for things to continue in the right direction, we really do need people to get behind us with their support.’
NO PLAN C TO SAVE NETBALL 'MURATTIS'
The island's inter-insular netball hopefuls have been left waiting once again after a third straight cancellation of the annual highlight.
The inter-insulars were set to run from 21-22 May on Jersey soil as an exciting focus for many players long confined to domestic leagues, but travel problems have ultimately ruled out a 2022 hosting.
Guernsey had requested a chartered flight from Aurigny, which the airline is now unable to supply due to crew training, with a spokesperson saying the initial quote was given ‘subject to aircraft availability’.
Joint organiser and Guernsey Netball Association participation director Anna Trump confirmed that both islands had been working hard together to make the inter-insulars possible.
‘We just cannot make it work, so unfortunately there’s going to be no inter-insular this year and I am absolutely gutted, mainly for the juniors,’ she said.
‘It’s really regrettable.’
The initial plan was for a March event, but the upsurge in Covid cases and resulting restrictions around the new year interrupted preparations and led to a later date being sought.
Now Guernsey players are unable to fly over and play at Jersey’s Les Ormes, while a Sarnian staging was considered but venues were unavailable.
Trump does not wish to blame anyone in particular for the inter-insulars becoming unviable.
‘Guernsey and Jersey have worked really hard together to make this work, but it’s just unfortunate circumstances all around,’ she added.
Jersey Netball Association president Linda Andrews echoed this disappointment.
‘We had everything booked and we were ready to rumble,’ she said.
‘We had three umpires from the UK booked, with flights and hotel. It’s really disappointing, but it is what it is.’
This spells a premature end to the season for senior players, though their junior counterparts still have a couple significant focuses.
The GNA are planning a season-ending junior tournament at Beau Sejour in early summer, while regional qualifying competitions provide another potential target for young players. But the inter-insulars, which last took place in March 2019 before the pandemic, will have to wait another year.
