Being part of a large organising committee, Daniel Jehan has welcomed a huge entry for the Senior Silver and Masters Bronze tournament – around half of whom are visitors. More than 65 had entered as of last weekend and this has now blossomed to 83 by this lunchtime.
This 100th edition of the popular multi-day Easter event will unfold from Thursday 2 to Saturday 4 April, but the hard work started last summer.
‘We’ve done a lot of delving into archives and images and previous winners and invited lots of people to the tournament and to the dinner,’ he said.
‘It’s just really going to be a huge celebration of the tournament reoccurring and lots of old, familiar faces hopefully, whether they’re retired from playing or not.’
Entries are still open until 19 March.
However, at this point of the registration window, Jehan says the numbers are ‘definitely an increase’ on the normal.
Their ambitions to attract quality visitors have been aided by a successful Tourism Management Board grant application.
‘We were really delighted to be offered some support for visiting players,’ Jehan said.
‘All the players that are coming over are receiving some money back as soon as they get to Guernsey, which will help compensate their travel and accommodation fees for the tournament and hopefully attract more people and new people to come over here.’
Jehan has also praised the high-standard Rohais facilities and the role they play in cementing the tournament’s place on the Badminton England circuit.
‘By virtue of the tournament being long-standing and for running as many years as it has, it has a great reputation.
‘It attracts players that perhaps are at the standard, but also players that are above the standard as well, because of the whole ambiance that comes with the tournament.
‘We have a lot of social factors. We have got these excellent facilities that’s just badminton courts – there’s no other lines on the floor.
‘We’re really lucky to be able to have our own centre that’s built for badminton specifically.’
Organisers are welcoming anyone who has been involved over the years to attend the Easter Saturday dinner, which takes place at St Pierre Park.
They are also aiming to provide extra opportunities on court through the introduction of a new over-65s category.
‘There’s quite a few visitors that come over for our tournament who don’t play – they just come over to meet up with lots of old friends and socialise – and it might encourage some of those to get on the court as well, which is really exciting,’ Jehan added.
