Sport in Jersey

In its own right Jersey participates in the Commonwealth Games and in the bi-annual Island Games, which it last hosted in 1997.In sporting events in which Jersey does not have international representation, when the British Home Nations are competing separately, islanders that do have high athletic skill may choose to compete for any of the Home Nations – there are, however, restrictions on subsequent transfers to represent another Home Nation.

Association football

The Jersey Football Association supervises football in Jersey. The Jersey Football Combination has 9 teams in its top division. The 2006/07 champions were Jersey Scottish where Ross Crick is the top scorer. The Jersey national football team plays in the annual Muratti competition among others.

Gymnastics

There are three gymnastics clubs in Jersey. Jersey Gymnastics Club [www.jerseygymnasticsclub.co.uk] is the largest, and has a training facility in St. Johns. Gymnasts regularly compete in the Island Games.

Cricket

Jersey is an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC). The Jersey cricket team plays in the Inter-insular match among others. Cricket has seen extreme rapid growth in Jersey and is the most popular sport. It is so popular that there is massive crowd support for every match. [ [http://www.icc-europe.org/DATABASE/ARTICLES/articles/000034/003478.shtml "Guernsey win inaugural Twenty20 inter-insular", by David Piesing, 30 September 2007, Cricket Guernsey] ]

Rugby union

There are several rugby union clubs in the island including a rugby academy for under 18s and Les Quennevais Rugby Club.

Horse racing

For horse racing, Les Landes Race Course can be found at Les Landes in St Ouen next to the ruins of Grosnez Castle.

wimming

Jersey has two public indoor swimming pools. Swimming in the sea, surfing, windsurfing and other marine sports are practised. Jersey Swimming Club have organised an annual swim from Elizabeth Castle to Saint Helier Harbour for over 50 years. A round-Island swim is a major challenge which a select number of swimmers have achieved.

Motorsports

Jersey also has a small selection of motorsports available. The most famous motorsport used is hill climbs. This takes place at Bouley Bay and is used for the national and international hill climbs. There are a few events which take place in St Ouen on the beach. This is sand racing and takes place throughout the year. Finally there is also a go kart track available to race on. This is at the Living Legend and features electric go karts with speeds of up to 35mph.

Jersey also has a selection of past motor racing drivers living in the island. 1992 Formula 1 world champion Nigel Mansell and ex F1 driver Derek Warwick live there. Warwick is also owner of Honda garages in the island which are named Derek Warwick Honda. Jersey also has one born and bred racing driver by the name of James Walker. Walker took part in British F3 from 2004-2006 and raced for Fortec Motorsport in the Renault World Series in 2007.

Other sports

There are few facilities for extreme sports and youth sports such as skateboarding, BMX, and inline skating. Coastal cliffs provide opportunities for rock climbing.

Golf is also popular - Harry Vardon was a Jerseyman.

The Royal Channel Island Yacht Club is based in Jersey.

Reference

ee also

* Springfield Stadium
* Sport in the United Kingdom
* Sport in Guernsey
* Sport in Alderney