Sports Tourism Group: "positivity, enthusiasm, common sense, and realism".

Saturday 03 February 2018

A group formed to push for improved Sport and Tourism in Guernsey had its first meeting saying it received "very good" attendance and support.

The Sports Tourism Action Group's founder, David Piesing, said there was a great deal of positivity, enthusiasm, common sense and realism from the 40 people in attendance.

"The initial thrust is that over the next three months we will put together a detailed and compelling proposal, fully evidence backed, for submission to Economic Development in early May, with a view to securing extra sports event funding in 2019 and 2020," he said.

"We have multiple new events in mind. It is essential that we clearly demonstrate that this money would generate significant new additional GDP. I am gathering together an appropriate committee to work with me on producing that proposal."

Mr Piesing, who was formerly heavily involved in Guernsey Cricket, said that would be phase one of STAG's plans. Phase two would be taking those ideas forwards, whether that be with or without States extra funding, though they would focus on trying to secure that funding.

Charles Parkinson, the President of Economic Development, has given his support to the initiative, Mr Piesing also reported. That comes months after the former Economic Development committee moved to try and cut sports and arts funding, before U-turning on that plan amid heavy public criticism.

"The plan is for a next open meeting in May, but the work in the funding proposal between now and then will involve three or four meetings with those who come on board to help with that," he said.

"Its down to us to produce a well-researched evidence-based proposal, and if we can do that then we seem to be pushing an open door."

The original idea behind STAG can be read about here.