Media Release - 17th February 2006

Following the sad news of the death of Tony Richomme, who had been appointed as the team manager for cycling for Team Jersey's participation in next month's Commonwealth Games, the officers of the local Association are pleased to be able to announce that Tony's replacement is Toby Aubert. Toby is the current President of the Velo Sport Cycling Club Jersey and has been the Jersey Cycling Association's delegate on the Council of the Commonwealth Games Association of Jersey. He is an experienced Island Games cyclist and competed in the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh. The Association is content with this late replacement and both Sam Firby, the cyclist, and Toby Aubert as his manager will be highly motivated to ensure that Jersey cycling is represented at its highest level in Melbourne as a tribute to Tony Richomme.

Tony's tragic death last week has been followed by the well-publicised news of the injury to Tim Rogers, one of the three triathletes in Team Jersey. The local Association's Officers are now awaiting a further medical prognosis before deciding whether Tim will be fit enough to compete in Melbourne.

Excitement mounts for Team Jersey members with only two weeks before the start of their journey to Melbourne. Members are due to collect their tracksuits and parade uniforms this weekend and then meet finally as a Team the following Thursday at a reception at Government House when the Association's patrons His Excellency, the Lieutenant Governor and Jersey's Bailiff will wish the Team well in their endeavours down under.

Preparing and sending Jersey's largest team ever to the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne has not been easy. Although inevitably the ‘lion's share' of the work has fallen upon the desk of the General Team Manager, Paul Huddlestone, he has been ably supported by other Association Officers and individual members who have made valuable contributions with the organisation and preparation of the Team. The Association is also deeply indebted to its sponsors for providing the financial backing that is so essential in preparing for any Games but particularly the 2006 Commonwealth Games which is to take place on the other side of the World, in Melbourne.

Although the Association's main sponsor is Marks and Spencer, Jersey, other support has been generously provided by the Royal Bank of Canada , the States of Jersey Education, Sport and Culture Committee, Jersey Telecom, Jersey Tourism, Hotel L'Horizon and a number of other local companies that have made smaller donations.

Finally, it is to be hoped that members of the Jersey public will maintain their interest in supporting members of Team Jersey during the Games which opens on Wednesday 15th March 2006 and closes on Sunday 26th March. Their progress can be followed on the Association's website www.cgaj.org and through the excellent service provided by our local media.