THE new year has breathed new life into the Jersey Sports Association for the Disabled (JSAD).
Without a home for the Jersey Special Gym Club since the Greenfields eviction, athletes and affiliates alike have endured a tense wait for some positive news.
While ‘positive discussions’ took place between JSAD and Deputy Lucy Stephenson, serving as the sports minister, the club remained without a home, nor any potential venues.
However, according to JSAD chairman Paul Patterson, that might be about to change.
He said: ‘We have been in regular contact with the Government of Jersey and have come to a temporary solution.
‘The t’s must be crossed and the i’s dotted, but it is highly likely that we will secure the use of Fort Regent for 12 months.
‘From my understanding, the Gym Club should be able to move there within the next couple of weeks.
‘We know that this is not a permanent solution and the search for a long-term home goes on, but it does give us some breathing room and a place for our athletes to get back and train in.’
One athlete who will be breathing a sigh of relief is Chloe Russell.
The 23-year-old has been selected to represent Team GB at the upcoming Special Olympics World Summer Games in Berlin.
Patterson said: ‘We are just really relieved for all our athletes that rely on a home to train at.
‘For Chloe on the more elite side, it is imperative that she has an environment to practice in.
‘JSAD has a very proud history of success on the world stage .
‘Chloe’s achievement of gaining selection cannot be understated, and for us not to have a facility to enable her to improve would have been hugely embarrassing.
Disabled sport in Jersey, like most activities suffered a decline through the pandemic, and it has been a struggle to re-establish pre-pandemic participation ever since.
However, buoyed by positive news of a home, levels have seen a steady increase, with reason to believe that numbers will continue to rise throughout 2023.
‘We have seen many of our sports pick back up again recently.
‘Obviously there were still many that weren’t overly comfortable in re-integrating after the pandemic, but we have been working to encourage them to come back.
‘At Wheelchair basketball on Monday, there were 30 players on court, which was just lovely to see.
Along with grassroots sport picking up, 2023 will see the competitive return of wheelchair tennis player James Brady.
After over two years away from the competitive scene, the former National Doubles Champion is expect to make his return.
Following a difficult period for JSAD, the start of the year has provided a crucial lift to local disabled sport.
