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THE TEAMSHEET

EDITION ONE - LET’S TALK ABOUT SPORT

BOYLE - MY FOOTBALL STORY

MAY 2024

Hello and welcome to the inaugral edition of The Teamsheet.

My name is Daniel Andrade and I am the founder of Sportscast Jersey. I have created The Teamsheet as a space where we hear from people in the sports community like we never have before.

In this first edition Jack Boyle is the standout interview. A talented footballer with so many stories from both his time on island with local clubs and off island at professional clubs. From his only regret, to the best teams he has played in, Boyle spoke openly about his career.

I also talk to Michael Blood about Blood Fitness, and we find out about the people behind the scenes at Jersey Spartans Athletic Club.

With thanks to Adi Topley, Scott Fuslier, Lauren Trachy and Rosie Trott for their photos, Tim Pryor of The Gantry for his excellent piece on Neil Macrae, and Catia Riva for her help and shared knowledge over the last few months.

I hope that you enjoy the magazine.

EDITORS NOTE

2 P.5 BLOOD FITNESS CONTENTS P.6 JACK BOYLE P.12 JERSEY SPARTANS P. 3 NEIL MACRAE

Tim Pryor Reflects on Neil Macrae’s Time

The recent Jersey Cricket Awards weren’t about Neil MacRae. They were about the local clubs, their top performers and brilliant volunteers. Yet, it was no surprise that the biggest ovation of the night was reserved for Macca – a show of appreciation for his decade as the Island’s men’s coach, a role from which he’s now decided to move on from.

This was the cricket community’s chance to thank him for 10 years of hard work and wave a fond farewell. There was no emotional speech from MacRae, simply not his style, but there were many appreciative from Jersey Cricket chairman John Harris and plenty of hugs from senior figures demonstrating just how highly he’s rated by those who have travelled with him to far flung places such as Singapore, Uganda, Los Angeles and Johannesburg.

MacRae is departing Jersey for his new gig as coach of the Netherlands women’s side. As he jets off and leaves our local shores behind him, he will no doubt be justly proud of his achievements here. The men’s national side are now firmly on the international map, having played their first official One Day International (ODI) last year.

They’re now rated 24th in the T20 world rankings – sides below them such as Kenya, Qatar and Bermuda know they face a tough task each and every time they come out to bat or take to the field against Jersey. Rivals Guernsey will tell you just how tough it’s been to face MacRae’s Jersey too – the reds have dominated inter-insular clashes throughout the past decade, including a record-breaking performance at KGV last season.

But it’s not always gone his way elsewhere. A sign of just how far Jersey’s men have come, is that they will genuinely be frustrated and disappointed not to have qualified for this summer’s World Cup. They were so close, narrowly missing out on qualification in Scotland last season after a couple of matches just “got away” at crucial times. They couldn’t quite get over the line.

For the majority of Macca’s tenure, the team bounced between ICC World League Four and League Five. Promotions in 2014 in Malaysia, 2016 on home turf and 2017 in South Africa are among the highlights. But they were interspersed with relegations in Singapore and America. The latter came despite a memorable one-run win over the hosts in their own back yard, going right down to the final ball. They did finally manage to stay put in League Four for the first time in 2018, finishing mid-table.

MacRae’s had just two permanent captains during his time in charge, and has been fortunate to have two crackers in opening batsman Peter Gough and, more recently, seamer Chuggy Perchard. That continuity on and off the pitch since the start of 2014 has surely played a key role in the success that’s come Jersey’s way.

While Perchard marches on with the Jersey badge proudly on his red shirt, MacRae’s attention now turns to the Netherland’s world-famous bright orange and an exciting new life leading the Dutch Women.

Thanks to Tim for the words and we wish Neil good luck in the future.

JERSEY ROWING HOSTED A 4

SPRINT EVENT IN APRIL

SPORTSCAST JERSEY STANDOUT PHOTO 4

NATIONS

GYM FOCUS: BLOOD FITNESS

Starting in 2015 Blood Fitness is, in their own words, ‘Jersey’s Premier Martial Arts Academy and Fitness Centre’. Started by Michael Blood, hence the name, Blood Fitness has grown in size both in terms of the gym, now three floors, and number of members. Dan sat down with Michael to learn more about the man behind the gym, and what makes Blood Fitness so special.

What is your background?

I started when I was around 14 years old. I didn’t know much about Thai Boxing as boxing is what I was doing. I remember a friend wanted to start Thai Boxing and he wanted me to come along to the first class. In the end, I got hooked on it but he never came back. That was my first experience of Muay Thai. It is seen as a brutal sport, but it is a sport no different to football or rugby, it just so happens to include fighting. You are not competing to be aggressive or hurt the other person, it is a sport that we have both trained hard to win. It is beautiful to watch too.

British Champion – how proud were you of that achievement?

It was a big achievement for me personally. I never really thought I would have got anywhere near that level. My coach said it would be a waste if I never competed and if I wasn’t to push myself. That was important, to have the right coach. The only fights I regret are the ones I never had. I was lucky as I fought in Thailand and all over the UK. I never dreamed of all of that really but with obsession and passion things just happened. For me my biggest achievement was fighting guys at the very top in the UK such as Tim Thomas. Fighting for World and Commonwealth titles were also special moments.

When did the idea of Blood Fitness come about?

My whole career led to creating Blood Fitness. Firstly, the name confuses people! Blood is my surname, so it is linking to that rather than literal blood which can put people off! It is something I wanted so badly, and I knew through people I had coached previously and the supporters of my fights that it would work. The first six months were a shock as I thought it would have been a lot easier! I am doing what I love though, and people are coming to the gym. My day flies by because I am doing something I am so passionate about.

How would you describe Blood Fitness?

Martial Arts Academy is the way it has been, but we do offer more. We have our large weights gym area downstairs where we have many users who only use the gym. We run memberships that include fitness-based classes such as circuits, boxfit and HITT. Then there is a membership where you have the MMA, Muay Thai and the boxing where you learn the technical elements whilst keeping fit. A lot of people don’t realise we offer all of that. We have a lot of good coaches and trainers who put on great classes. We all have our strong points and bounce off each other in ways that make us a fantastic team. We are in a great location now, and I hope we can keep on building.

How proud are you of the fight nights you have put on?

It is a lot of hard work but the buzz you get when the fighters get into that ring, knowing the hard work they have put into it in the weeks and months before, is fantastic. There are so many people who make those nights go smoothly and I can’t thank them enough. The adrenaline is next level, even as an organiser and coach.

How big is the future of Blood Fitness?

The Muay Thai side is really growing. I think we are building towards hosting some of the biggest events in the UK. The guys who have come over from the UK for our previous shows believe they are the best events they have been to, so Jersey needs to pick up on that and support our local guys a bit more. They have come to Blood Fitness for an escape from their day-to-day life to train hard and they have found a passion where they put in a lot of hours, morning and night, to be at the level they have reached. They are all really going places. They deserve recognition and a spotlight. On the last event a lot of the guys secured sponsors which is great, we just need to build on that. Elsewhere, all other departments and areas of Blood Fitness are growing too. I think it works so well because I personally don’t run everything on my own. The team have their individual roles and areas that they are looking to grow. I trust them as the areas they are in is what they know inside out. We have a big enough facility to keep welcoming new faces with open arms. Once people realise, we are not just a Martial Arts Club, I hope they will come down and try us out because everyone is welcome.

How proud are you of Blood Fitness?

I am incredibly proud. Sometimes I have to pinch myself because it doesn’t feel real sometimes. I wake up every day and can’t wait to come in, and then when I close up at night, I always have a moment of pride that I have built not just the gym, but a really strong community.

BRILLIANT BOYLE’S JOURNEY

Fittingly in a place which brings back so many memories for our guest, the Springfield Stadium home changing room, Dan Andrade sat down with one of the most talented footballers in local football over the past two decades, Jack Boyle.

From his time at professional clubs, his memories of Jersey Scottish, St Paul’s and Muratti’s, nearly joining Guernsey FC, the formation of Jersey Bulls FC, and what the future holds, so much was covered.

Here is Jack Boyle’s footballing story.

We started at the very beginning, I asked Boyle about his earliest memories of the sport he grew to love. ‘My mum and dad weren’t pushy, I think I gravitated towards football. I remember as a kid always wanting to have a ball at my feet, kicking it against the wall. In the house I used to kick a ball about, and mum used to go mad. She would want to pop the ball because I used to put my dad on the couch as goalkeeper and I would have shots against him. I always loved football.’

‘My dad used to play football. He used to try to tell everyone how good he was. He mainly played his football over in Scotland. I missed his eleven aside games, but I remember watching him play five aside up at Fort Regent when it was quite competitive, and he was wasn’t bad. He took me to my school and Jersey Scottish juniors football games and he always supported me by saying what I had done well, and what I needed to improve. He was probably my biggest fan and biggest critic at the same time.’

When asked which coaches helped him along the way, Boyle said ‘I went to school at Rouge Bouillon with Callum Brennan who was Pat Brennan’s son. Pat ended up taking the school team so from Year 5 he was my manager all the way to senior football, be that at school or Jersey Scottish. There is no hiding just how inspirational he was for me. I learnt so much from him and he helped me a lot. He was the man who sent me on the trials to Celtic, as well as other clubs over the years. David Kennedy was brilliant as I was entering senior football as well, and he helped me a lot too. Those two were brilliant in terms of helping my development as a player and making me the player I became. I didn’t spend as much time with him, but Craig Culkin was the other stand out for me.’

When he was young, Steven Gerrard was Boyle’s idol. ‘When I was growing up I was a box to box centre midfielder. I am a Celtic fan but I have followed, and like Liverpool, and I remember watching Gerrard and loving the way he played. He drove teams to win games single handedly. He was good in the air, he could tackle, he could finish. I remember thinking I wanted to play like him. I would get the Predators, the same boots as him. I would want to wear number 8, and daftly as a kid I would want to wear 17 as he wore that shirt when he was first breaking in! He was certainly a player I looked up to.’

His Celtic links started at a young age, as Boyle explains ‘I was 14 when I first got told I was going for trials at Celtic. It was an amazing feeling. I was so confident locally but was extremely nervous for the trials. I always got told that I had the talent but to have that confidence to express myself was difficult. I went on a lot of trials at several clubs and Celtic was by far the hardest. They literally must win every game and it was like that in training, right from the age I went there for the first time. You had to be at your top level every session. At 16 I was there for six weeks, did all of pre-season with them. They were taking an U19s squad away to Valenica and they were going to take a few of my age group over. They were talking about me going but I didn’t make that squad. I left quite eager to see family after that disappointment and it fizzled out from there.’

On the game that announced him to the local football community he said ‘I remember David Kennedy was the manager and Pat Brennan was his assistant. I was playing well locally in the Combination League so I would have been disappointed to not have been involved. I started left hand side of midfield in a 4-4-2. The team was brilliant, I can remember it vividly. I remember the majority of the game I thought I could have played better. It was late on, we had a throw in up high. The crowd was in amongst it, all quite tight. Guernsey fans there shouting abuse, proper Muratti scenes. Grass pitch, unbelievable. Jack Cannon threw me the ball, I turned the defender and managed to score the equaliser at 17 years old. What a feeling that was. The game went all the way to penalties and I got asked if I wanted to take one, I said no. I was happy with getting the equaliser and didn’t want to ruin it by missing a penalty. We went on to win on penalties. My first Muratti, first win and managed to get Man of The Match, although I remember Mark Brown playing centre midfield superbly that day, and if I hadn’t scored the goal he certainly would have got Man of The Match. That day though is right up there with the best memories I had in local football.’

Southampton FC soon came calling. ‘Michael Wild who was the Chairman of Southampton was watching that Muratti and had a conversation with David Kennedy to learn more about me. Within weeks I was on trial at the club. I remember turning up and being so impressed with the facilities. I felt more comfortable than when I was at Celtic. I had a couple more years on my side, I could meet the standard, I could fit in socially and that allowed me to play well. I signed in September for the season on a six month contract and then they offered me another year at the end of that season with a year option. I played a lot with the reserves and trained with some really good players. I remember my parents come over to watch me play and on that day I really felt like I had made them proud, watching me play for a professional team. It was a nice moment. It was an experience that I absolutely loved and I wish it had work.ed out’

‘It was intense. I went from training twice a week and playing on a Saturday here, to training four times maybe five times a week with a game on the weekend, so it was a big change. I had injuries, including Pubic Symphysis which meant your pubic bone had a stress fracture and I had that for a long period at Southampton. That led to two groin surgeries as it was all interlinked. They said the big change in intensity was the reason behind it. It was hard because nothing could fix that apart from rest, yoga and Pilates. As that was happening, I had hip impingement which led to surgery in my hip. I was out for a long time and injuries hampered my chances of making it. Nigel Adkins said he would give me a three-month contract, to see if I could come back and stay fit. The first few sessions went well but then my form dipped, perhaps I gave up a little bit and he didn’t fancy my chances. He pulled me into the office to tell me, and even though I knew it was coming, when you hear the words it really hits you.’

Boyle then opened up to Dan about a key moment whilst he was at Saints. ‘I don’t have many regrets, but I did have one at Southampton. Jan Poortvliet was the manager at the time. I played a game for the reserves and played really well. We were in the canteen the next day and he came over to me. Christmas was approaching. He asked me whether I wanted to be in the squad for the Christmas game, Plymouth away, but it meant that I wouldn’t go home to see the family. Being 19, I decided to go home to see my family with the idea in my head that I would kick on when I come back after Christmas. They called up a guy in the same position as I was called Kayne McLaggon who was the year below me. He started on the bench; he came on and scored an equaliser. He ended up starting a few weeks later against Manchester United in the FA Cup. I look back and ask myself why I didn’t go for it. I wish I had stayed but I didn’t. You hear now that you need to make massive sacrifices to make it, and not going home that Christmas should have been one that I made.’

A move up to Scotland came next for Boyle. ‘I went to Airdrie and it was probably the best trials I have ever played. They offered me a contract straight away. Money wasn’t great but I could stay with my sister in Glasgow and get my foot back in the football door. It was tougher than people think Scottish football is. They were in the Championship, and some of the teams were at such a good standard. I would love decent Jersey players to give it a go at that level to see how they would get on. I was enjoying it, and was playing to see if I could get a move up the ladder but it didn’t quite happen. My dad was diagnosed with cancer, and he was back here, so I wanted to come back Jersey and be with him. I stayed home from there on in, I met my now wife and have two kids and my own business. I don’t regret the path I ended up going down, even if it would have been brilliant to play professional football.’

Back on island, he returned to a club he loved playing for. ‘Jersey Scottish was great. When I got into the first team I was so young. Bob Kearsey wanted to pick me, and Pat Brennan, who was the youth manager at the time, said go for it. I was playing with the likes of Dave Brodie, Ali Santos, Ross Crick, Mark Brown, Ryan Lumsden, the list goes on. Unbelievable players. We played Tuesday night at Springfield on the grass pitch as our home ground. I loved Scottish, and how well we transitioned from one pool of players into another superb group with the likes of Craig Fletcher, Luke Campbell, Rob McBey, Jamie Savory and again, the list goes on. I enjoyed the battles against St Paul’s. It wasn’t nice to see Scottish fold. If they were still going I would still be playing for them. I remember being pulled in with a group of people where we got told the news which was upsetting to hear.’

New beginnings soon came though. ‘As sad as Scottish folding was, it gave me an opportunity to go to St Pauls, and therefore go play with all my good mates. I had spent so many years at Scottish playing against them all, which I loved, but to have two seasons with them was brilliant. Luke Watson was best man at my wedding, Craig Russell was my usher. Jack Cannon, Cav Miley, Craig Leitch, Stuart Andre and then the younger lads, Euan Van der Vliet, Joe Kilshaw and Harry Curtis. These are all still mates I have now. It was probably the most enjoyable time in local football I had. That takes nothing away from Scottish because I loved it, best manager I had was Pat Brennan, but playing with your friends is next level. Ability wise we had a great team, but the mentality was huge. We would go a goal down and knew we were still winning the game. We trusted each other, and knew somebody would provide that bit of quality. Training for St Paul’s was unbelievable. You were training so on the edge and trained like we played. That helped us be so successful.’

On who stands out as the best player he has played with, Boyle replied. ‘We have named a few unbelievable players. Ryan Lumsden, Mark Brown, Ali Santos, Ross Crick and Cav Miley. There are also a couple still playing who are certainly in the same conversation, Luke Campbell and Luke Watson, but the stands out for me would be Stuart Andre locally and Dave Brodie.’

Dan asked him to compare the Jersey Scottish team to the current crop of players he is now playing with at Jersey Bulls. ‘Everything looks better in any conversation when looking back at ex-players, they always seem better. I was lucky because that Scottish team, as well as the Muratti team when I made my debut, were unbelievable. A lot of players came over from the mainland, and that improved the standard a lot. That doesn’t happen as much now. Saying that, there are players who play for the Bulls who could play back then. Those players back then are not playing in this Jersey Bulls league which is so tough, and people think it is easy, so it is hard to compare the players. Lorne Bickley has scored so many this season, he is a proper centre forward and could easily have played back then. Jay Giles is another. Luke Campbell and Luke Watson have stayed at the top, from then to now. There are good players in both and I would love to see both teams when they were in their prime play each other.’

A story Boyle was involved in which gained a lot of media interest was an unheard of rumoured move which would see him put on a green shirt for Guernsey FC. ‘That was mad. It gathered momentum quite rapidly. Someone mentioned the possibility to me, and I weirdly didn’t think ‘no’ straight away, so it made me think. At that point I was really frustrated with local football in Jersey, and I was seeing how well Guernsey FC were progressing. I thought it was an opportunity. I got told I wouldn’t have had to move there, and it felt like a good idea. I remember Sam Cochrane, their captain at the time, wasn’t keen on it which didn’t bother me, he was quite opinionated and fair play to him as I fully got his point. Both I and the club said we were keen, but it didn’t materialise. Luke Watson was going to play as well! Imagine us two playing over there!!’

Luckily Boyle, and Watson, stayed and their patience was rewarded. ‘Jersey Bulls is massive for the Jersey footballing community. You need something like this. There are so many players who could have lost interest if Bulls didn’t exist. You gain that club feel. When I have been injured I come down with my son who is three, and he loves it. You see the youngsters watching it, wanting to play for the Bulls one day. It will make players want to improve and aim to reach this realistic decent level. Fair play to Ian Horswell and Russell Le Feuvre who have made it happen alongside the other volunteers. Huge respect also to Gary Freeman and all of his coaching staff as well as the group of players who don’t miss a game, home or away. Luke Campbell, James Queree, Euan Van der Vliet, Jonny Le Quesne, Adam Trotter and others. They have been there since the start and keep going, week in week out. It shows how addictive it is. The standard is higher than people think, and winning games isn’t straight forward. A lot have opinions, but it is easy to say all sorts when just sat watching it. I did it, but having played in games now, I know it’s so difficult on the pitch. It is hard to keep the standard over the season, so you will have ups and downs, but the lads have done well and are in good place ahead of the play offs.’

As rejuvenating as the Bulls have been for other players, Boyle has been left frustrated. ‘For me, it hasn’t been a good few years. I ruptured my ACL in the first game. I was out for two years, and didn’t play a game for three years. I was unlucky again, with a big injury. I am obviously not getting any younger. I have had four knee surgeries. The first year I had a distraction as I had started my business, so I could focus on that. In the time I was out I have also had two kids, as well as getting married, so a lot has happened. I did miss playing though. It is worse now as I have had a taste of it this season, playing thirteen games. I was just about getting to the standard I wanted to be at, then in the Knaphill game I jarred my knee and tore my meniscus, which meant I needed surgery. So, to play, and then have to watch again has been hard. My son always asks if I am playing and I have to tell him I am injured, so I watch games with him hoping the lads win and we get results, but it is hard to enjoy when you know you could be out there. It is frustrating. This is a minor setback and with a bit of luck I can play again before the end of the season and help the team the best I can.’

On what is in store for Boyle and his family he replied ‘I am focusing on getting fit and healthy with the aim of getting my knee back to where it was before the injury. I think I still have a lot to offer the Bulls, so I will look to play for a few more years. If I am injury free, and as long as all is good with my wife and kids, I will look to play until I can’t. I would never force my kids to do anything, but my boys loves football. Every time we are at home, he is kicking the ball around in the garden. He wants to come watch the Bulls and he loves it.’

If Boyle’s boys are as good as their dad, we are in for one hell of a duo! Many thanks to Jack for his time and recollections.

10 SPORTSCAST SNAPS SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2024 SO FAR...

RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS

There have been so many sporting highlights in recent months. Here are just a few standouts!

Intrepid 232

Alison Smithhurst, Rosemary Satchwell, Julie Brady and Helene Monpetit rowed 3000 miles across the Atlantic setting a new world record.

U18 Muratti

Goals for Connor Lloyd (2), Coen Le Monnier and Stanley Dunne saw Jersey beat Guernsey 4-0 at Springfield.

Jersey Ladies Golf Development Group

They won the Women & Girls Trailblazer title at an England Golf awards. Three golf clubs, Les Mielles, Les Ormes and St Clement, come together to bring 68 ladies to the sold out Give Golf A Go events.

Jersey 5km Record Breaker

Sam Maher broke Jersey’s 5km PB with an incredible time of 14:33:92.

Rugby Title Triumphs

Jersey RFC Men win back to back promotions and Jersey RFC also win promotion, as both win their respective league titles.

Paula Allbut:

UNSUNG HEROES: JERSEY SPARTANS

What is your role at Jersey Spartan AC?

I am the President of Jersey Spartan AC. Amongst other duties, I help to organise the Minis section of our Club. On a Sunday morning 97 children from 7 years old up to 11 years are coached in the fundamental skills of running, jumping and throwing.

When did you first join Spartans?

I started helping at JSAC over 12 years ago when my daughter, Olivia, joined the Club. I then trained as a coach and worked with the Minis and then the juniors. I have also taken on officiating roles so that I can help when we have competitions at the track.

What is your personal athletics highlight moment?

In 2022 I volunteered at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and was selected to be part of the medal ceremonies team. It was just fantastic to meet so many wonderful athletes and a real honour to be part of the presentation team at the podium.

What is the best thing of being part of the Club?

I get a tremendous amount of satisfaction from seeing how the young athletes improve and how much they enjoy their sessions. We are so lucky to have a great team of volunteers at JSAC and I really enjoy being part of this team.

Judy Andrews-Callec:

What’s your role at Jersey Spartans?

Pete Irving:

What’s your role at Jersey Spartans?

First and foremost I’m a parent to a young athlete. I am on the Executive committee, Welfare Officer, Track official, Trip organiser and JAA Representative.

When did you first join Spartans?

My son started in 2019 but I think I joined the Executive committee in 2021.

What’s you personal athletics highlight moment?

Gosh, so many to choose from. Just to be clear though, I am not, and never will be, an Athlete! But as a volunteer watching the U17 boys (Bradley, Ed and George) collect a gold team medal at the SEAA 5k road championships in 2023 was brilliant, my son Bradley becoming Hampshire league U15 Cross Country champion in 2022 and watching Elizabeth Bird come second at the Commonweath games in the 3000m Steeplechase was awesome to watch live.

What’s the best thing about being part of the club?

The best part is definitely supporting the Junior endurance athletes with opportunities to compete in the UK. I’ve watched them fall apart on the start line before races. Watched them fall over the line in exhaustion and everything in-between. I love how they support each other in the up and down moments and how they have grown and matured together. I feel privileged to be part of their athletics journey and making memories with them whether that is during the races or at the ‘after party’

Head Track and Field Coach and enthusiastic geriatric athlete!

What’s your personal athletics highlight moment?

Too many to list but two that stand out are:

Winning 4x400 gold on two occasions with my university at the British University Championship’s in 2005 and 2007, and winning relay gold in the 4x400 at the Guernsey Island Games 2003

When did you first join Spartans?

Year 9 - 14 years old

What’s the best thing about being part of the club?

Seeing the constant growth and development of the athletes, coaches, and club alike over the years, in the pursuit of excellence of athletics in Jersey.

Becs Orpin:

What’s your role at Jersey Spartans?

I am currently the Chairman, so I’m ultimately accountable for the smooth running of the Club, but obviously I don’t do that all myself. We have a big team of wonderful volunteers who make the day to day running of all the Club activities possible. I also coach some of the older junior sprinters and am training to become a starter.

What’s your personal athletics highlight moment?

For me as an athlete, probably getting selected to run in an invitational 200m at a meeting pre the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh. That was pretty high-profile, although I did get disqualified for 2 false starts, so not my finest moment! As a JSAC coach, it would have to be going to this summer’s Youth Commonwealth Games in Trinidad & Tobago to support one of my athletes, Jamie. It was just such a fabulous experience for us both and I felt really privileged to be part of it.

When did you first join Spartans?

I first joined Spartans when I first came to the island, back in 1997. I had still been training and competing at back at home and wanted to carry on when I moved, so I joined the sprint group and became an active competitive member. I had a wee break following back issues that stopped me sprinting, but came back when my kids wanted to try athletics out and slowly got roped into coaching.

What’s the best thing about being part of the club?

For me, it’s regularly spending time with people who all have a shared purpose - we all want the athletes to be as successful as possible, improve year on year and remain in the sport for as long as possible. The reward when an athlete has a good race or gets a PB is well worth it. We all want the Club to keep improving, innovating and growing. I’ve made such good friends in the process, which is a bonus.

Rosie Adamson:

What’s your role at Jersey Spartans?

A general dogsbody on the road running subcommittee. I help out with organising races, publicising events, arranging qualifications for volunteers, responding to member queries, coordinating JSAC senior team entries for races and sourcing awesome high-viz kit. I’m sure there are more pies that I have my fingers in but I can’t think of them off the top of my head. By no means do I carry out all those tasks on my own. My fellow subcommittee members also share the burden.

What’s your personal athletics highlight moment?

It’s challenging to pick just one. There are several times where I have achieved more than I ever thought possible, from completing my first half marathon back in 2016 to inching under my time goal in the most recent Jersey Marathon. It’s that feeling of achieving what I had previously thought was impossible, whether it be a new distance or an improved time, which is the highlight for me and what keeps me coming back. And that feeling is always made sweeter when I can share it with my friends and family.

When did you first join Spartans?

I did my first Spartans race in 2016 and joined the club towards the end of 2017. I became involved with the road running subcommittee last year and have enjoyed giving back to the club that has given me so much.

What’s the best thing about being part of the club?

The friends that I have made and the people that I continue to meet. As much as I’m passionate about running, it’s the people that I get to run with that really make the difference!