Jersey’s sporting talent continues to shine on the national and international stage — from Commonwealth Games success to world-level competition. Behind this success is a growing network of support helping local athletes reach their full potential.
As part of this, Jersey Sport launched the Performance Sport Programme in 2024, designed to provide financial assistance and professional support services for the island’s top performers. Active is proud to play a role in this initiative by offering access to state-of-the-art facilities at reduced rates for athletes, helping them stay strong, fit, and competition-ready.
We spoke with Dom Blampied, Jersey Sport’s Workforce and Sport Development Officer, to find out more about the Performance Sport Programme, why it matters, and how the collaboration with Active is helping athletes thrive.
How does Jersey Sport support Jersey’s performance athletes?
Jersey Sport was commissioned by the Government of Jersey to deliver the Enabling Athletes to Thrive strategy. In 2024, this led to the launch of a bespoke Performance Sport Programme designed to support athletes financially and through a network of professional services.
Why is the island’s Performance Sport Programme needed?
Jersey has consistently exceeded expectations on the national and international stage, producing team and individual athletes that have gone on to achieve Commonwealth titles, World Championship selections and medal hauls worth boasting about. It is both rewarding and important to support Jersey’s most talented athletes to help them reach their upper potential and continue to put Jersey on the global sport map.
How are Jersey Sport and Active working together to support the island’s Performance Sport Programme?
Active is part of the Performance Sport Programme’s valued support network, offering reduced membership fees to athletes. This allows them access to top-class facilities that complement their training and strength and conditioning programmes — whether based on-island full-time or returning home from overseas study or competition.
Why is this type of support important for performance athletes in Jersey?
Active’s offer allows athletes to access local facilities at a reduced rate, meaning they can utilise their grants to support their training in more areas with other vital services, such as purchasing specialist equipment and travelling off-island for higher level competition and training.
From your perspective, what impact has the partnership with Active had on athletes so far?
Active’s support has had a positive impact, contributing to a holistic network of services that meet athletes’ training and competition needs.
How does the collaboration between Jersey Sport and Active strengthen the overall support network for Jersey’s performance athletes?
Access to top-quality facilities and services — particularly following the refurbishment of Springfield and Oakfield — is an invaluable asset for the Performance Sport Programme, the athletes involved, and the wider sporting community.
What message would you like to share with the community about the importance of supporting local sportspeople, and how Jersey Sport plays a part in that journey?
Jersey’s sporting community is at its best when everyone works together towards a common goal — helping athletes excel on the national and international stage. Supporting local athletes not only strengthens Jersey Sport’s mission to make sport and physical activity accessible for all, but also inspires more islanders to get active and achieve their own goals.