Sport Review

Le Couilliard will go to the Games

Just a week after it was announced that Jersey’s top swimmer Simon Le Couilliard would not be competing in the Island Games it has been decided that he will go to Rhodes, following an appeal from his club.

The Jersey Amateur Swimming Association agreed that qualification must be achieved in a 25m pool, and it was believed that Le Couilliard had not swum in a short course pool within the qualification period.

However, in what Jersey’s Island Games Swimming Team Manager, Neil Faudemar, described as “something of an oversight really on behalf of the club” it transpired that he “has swam in a designated meet” and is eligible to join the squad.

“I’m delighted that he is now included,” said Faudemar, “I think it’s a great boost for the team as well…I think the boys were certainly going to be weakened with his absence.”

The JASA had not picked anyone to replace Le Couilliard so his selection will not be to the detriment of any other swimmers;

“No one’s lost out with regard to the selection criteria as far as the inclusion of Simon Le Couilliard goes,” in fact an extra swimmer should be of benefit to the whole men’s team as it will take the pressure off some of the other swimmers in the relays.

“Most probably in hindsight there was a slight concern that there was going to be a lot of pressure put on those swimmers…really what it does is give us a bit of added strength.”

Le Couilliard returned from the last Island Games with 10 medals including three individual golds, one silver, two bronzes and four relay golds. He also holds Island Games records in the 50m, 100m and 200m butterfly.

The swimmers who will represent Jersey in the Island Games are:

1. Rosie Barrette (AIB Tigers)
2. Ian Black (AIB Tigers)
3. Andrew Blake (AIB Tigers)
4. Jemma Carter (JSC)
5. Sam Fernandes (AIB Tigers)
6. JJ Gallichan (AIB Tigers)
7. Emma Glendenning (AIB Tigers)
8. Daniel Halksworth (AIB Tigers)
9. Ebony Jacklin (AIB Tigers)
10. Danielle Le Bourcier (AIB Tigers)
11. Michael Le Couilliard (AIB Tigers)
12. Simon Le Couilliard (AIB Tigers)
13. Iona Richardson (JSC)
14. Katie Speller (JSC)
15. Sarah Jane Smith (AIB Tigers)