Media Release - 22nd October 2004

At a Council Meeting of the Commonwealth Games Association of Jersey on Thursday 21 st October 2004, the date of Jersey's involvement in the Queen's Baton Relay, as part of the build-up to the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, was announced. The Baton will arrive in Jersey from Malta on the evening of Tuesday 12 th April 2005 and remain on the Island for both Wednesday and Thursday 13 th /14 th April before returning to England where the baton first started it's journey at Buckingham Palace on 14 th March 2005. The schedule for the Queen's Baton Relay will involve all 71 Commonwealth Countries over a period of 10 months and complete its journey with the Australian sector of the relay commencing on 25 th January 2006, Australia Day eve. The Games officially opens on 15 th March 2006.

Although plans for celebrating it's visit to Jersey are not finalised yet, initial discussions have taken place with member sports at the recent Council Meeting and with officers of the Education, Sport and Culture Department with a view to involving both school children and a wide range of local sports clubs and associations including athletes with disabilities. It is also hoped that these celebrations will incorporate one of two major fundraising events in an attempt to off-set the costs for the Jersey Team travelling to the Games in Melbourne.

Alan Cross, Secretary to the Commonwealth Games Association of Jersey, is keen to hear from any Jersey-based Company that is interested in being associated with Jersey's involvement with the Queen's Baton Relay and the 2006 Games and is prepared to become a sponsor for this major International sporting event. Alan can be contacted on Tel. 742254 or by email at alancross@jerseymail.co.uk .

The local Association is also delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Carl Clinton, as their Honorary Medical Adviser. Dr. Clinton is a well-known practitioner and sports fanatic and has specialist expertise and interest in all aspects of sports medicine. He is also the Hon. Medical Adviser for the International Island Games Association and has provided invaluable support to the Island Games Association of Jersey at a number of recent Island Games.

Alan Cross

Hon. Secretary