News
For the stakeholder, not the shareholder 

By Steven Anderson, Jersey Sport’s new Media and Communications Officer

For the most part, the majority of us will amble through life, forming part of a workforce fixated on shareholder profits. 

That never quite sat right with me. I craved a role that empowered me to focus not on the canopy of the tree, but rather the roots that nourish it. 

That’s core to Jersey Sport. To drive accessibility in sport and physical activity for all, while also providing valuable support to those on their competitive endeavours, looking to make a splash on the national and international scene.  

Following my time as Sports Editor of the Jersey Evening Post, what became abundantly clear, was my love of sport in the Island.  

For a nine mile by five ‘rock’ bedded in the English Channel, barely identifiable on the world map, sport has long been a vital vessel to shed a welcome light on our beautiful home. 

As a ‘semi-retired’ golfer by trade, my thoughts immediately come back to Harry Vardon. 

The Grouville-born Islander still holds the record for the most Open Championships in golf, with the first in 1896, and the last in 1914. 

Each year, when the Open is broadcast to millions across the globe, Vardon’s achievement – standing over a century, is mentioned. 

In turn, Jersey is uttered on the lips many, whom have little idea as to where we are. 

Ted Ray, also of Grouville,  claimed his own Open Championship during the dominant Vardon era in 1912. 

Our sporting pedigree doesn’t stop at golf however, nor do you need to trace back north of 100 years to find Caesareans excelling in their chosen discipline. 

Netballer Serena Kersten (née Guthrie) earned a century of caps for England between 2008-2022 and has now returned to Jersey to support the development of recreational and performance athletes through her role as coach for Team Jets and Jersey Netball. 

Elsewhere, swimmer Simon Militis claimed a remarkable Commonwealth Games bronze in 2002 for the 200m backstroke in Manchester. 

On the theme of international games, the late Colin Campbell was the first British athlete and lone Jersey athlete to compete at both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. 

The Islander made Team GB in 1968 and 1972 in the 400m and 800m, prior to turning his attention to bobsleigh in 1974, earning a place in the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck as part of a four-man bob. 

While the list of elite sportsmen and women is extensive, here at Jersey Sport, we strive to focus on the journey.  

The accolades and medals are just the tip of an iceberg that took many years to form. 

From countless hours of crafting their trade, to coaches, volunteers, committed parents and teammates, there is tireless work behind the scenes to cultivate a sportsperson, whether performing on the world stage, or supported to participate and reach the best of their own ability. 

So, the burning question for me personally, why Jersey Sport? 

Everything circles back to the headline of this piece and its introduction. I have always wanted to make a difference in the community. I wanted to work for an organisation that is placed to enable sport to flourish locally, from grassroots, all the way to high-performance teams and individuals. 

Joining Jersey Sport wasn’t just a career move – it was a return to something I deeply believe in – that sport has the power to do good. And I’m proud to be a part of that mission, right here in the place I call home. 

As a charity, our focus is you. Jersey Sport’s goal is to see our community blossom. 

The importance of sport cannot be understated. While for some, it offers a platform to advance to the next level, for others it is a vital aspect of health, both mentally and physically. 

It’s a sense of belonging, a community to be a part of and a welcome escape from being glued to a laptop or absorbed by the endless scroll through social media. 

My goal is to ensure that your voice is heard. That your sporting journey is documented and celebrated. 

Jersey Sport’s remit stretches far and wide and we feel that perhaps in the past we have not been effective enough at shouting about the success that has come as both a direct and indirect result of our funding and support to local sport. 

Whether that be simply getting more active, returning to sport, or progressing towards competitive goals, no one journey is more meaningful than another. 

I am thrilled to be the mouthpiece for our charity and my primary aim is to ensure that the community are aware of the passion we have for Jersey and the tireless work that goes on behind the scenes to enable local sport and physical activity to flourish. 

I would love to hear from you – the sport community – and I’ll be doing my utmost to get out in the community in the coming months. In the meantime, please contact me and we can shed a light on your specific sport or physical activity programme: steven.anderson@jerseysport.je  

By Steven Anderson
Media & Communications Officer at Jersey Sport