Derek Bernard has won medals at the Island Games

Derek Bernard took over the job from the Mary Astbury in the late 1980s and has held the post since then.

He will step down in May of this year, saying that 12 years in enough for one person.

Mr Bernard has himself won many Games medals in a long pistol-shooting career, and is hoping to represent Jersey in the 2003 Games in Guernsey.

I have to be honest and say when the Jersey team came into the arena for the opening ceremony, I was in tears Derek Bernard on the 1997 Games in Jersey

He said: "The organisation is in excellent shape and there are now many people who would make an extremely good job of it. It's time for somebody else to take over.

"I've enjoyed it. The Games is a fabulous concept and I feel privileged to have been involved with it for so long.

Mr Bernard said one of the highlights of his 12 years had to be 1997, when the Games were hosted by Jersey.

He said: "I have to be honest and say when the Jersey team came into the arena for the opening ceremony, I was in tears."

Meanwhile, Jersey's island games team could be competing in either Rhodes or the Isle of Wight in 2007.

Games acclimatisation

Bids have been received from the two islands to host the games.

Mr Bernard said although Rhodes is a more glamorous option, the warm climate might cause problems for athletes.

He said: "Organisers for Rhodes are making it clear that, in their view, competitors should aim to arrive at least two days before the games start to get a bit of acclimatisation to the heat.

"We all think: 'Oh, it will be lovely and sunny'. But it has a downside, too."