Media Release - 14th March 2006

Sam Firby, Jersey cyclist, has been honoured with the role of flag bearer for Team Jersey at the Opening Ceremony of the XVIIIth Commonwealth Games. It will be an emotional moment for Sam when he leads the Team into the world-famous Melbourne Cricket Ground tomorrow evening.

Martin Hebden , the President of the Commonwealth Games Association of Jersey, informed members of Team Jersey at a gathering last night at the Games Village of the verdict of the Association's Officers and Team Managers to appoint Sam as the flag bearer. As such, he will parade at the head of the Team wearing a black armband as a tribute to Tony Richomme, his appointed Cycling Team Manger who so tragically died only a few weeks prior to the Team's departure to Melbourne.

General Team Manger, Paul Huddlestone, is pleased to report that all members of Team Jersey are now well settled into their training programmes and extremely comfortable with all services provided at the Games Village. Although the temperature in Melbourne yesterday was in the high 30's, conditions are expected to improve during the next few days and into the 10 day period of the Games.