Commission to recruit two new Sport Development Officers

Tuesday 29 June 2021

The Guernsey Sports Commission has secured funding to recruit new Sport Development Officers for Cycling and Netball.

It comes following A combination of funding from the sports themselves, a private sponsor, the Sports Commission’s own funds and money from the Active8 Sports Strategy.

"These appointments are all about making sure that the whole community has the opportunity to try these sports, and in turn help support mental and physical heath, wellbeing and social inclusion through taking part in sport," said Steve Sharman, the Guernsey Sports Commission’s Relationship Director.

"We are looking for self-motivated people with excellent leadership skills, the capacity to work independently and most importantly a passion for their sport and a desire to share that passion with the wider community."

The Guernsey Netball Association will finally be able to turn the sport’s long-held dream of having a Netball Development Officer into reality, Partnership Director Darren Duquemin.

"It would never have happened without the GSC so we are very grateful to them. Many other sports have reaped the benefits of their own development officer for many years now and we are looking forward to doing the same. 

"We believe that it will be a gamechanger. We are excited to see who is out there and would relish the challenge of being Guernsey Netball’s first Development Officer. They will be able to make, with our support, a big positive impact and should get a big buzz from doing that."

The Guernsey Velo Club's Mark's Smith hopes the new Cycling Development Officer will be able to work across all age groups. 

"[There is] the opportunity to develop and nurture our young and aspiring cyclists in their careers and at a grass-roots level, as well as working with our more experienced riders as they prepare for Island Games and Commonwealth Games.

"This is a real chance to put Guernsey firmly on the cycling map."

Pictured top: The Velo Club's academy was formed to support young cyclists looking to further their careers in the sport (Credit: Nick Despres).