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For one family in Jersey, the Island Games seems to run in the blood! Jersey born in 1963, Ian Coombs-Goodfellow’s passion is badminton – and so is his family’s. Between him, his wife Kerry and his brother in-law Phil Duffin, they have notched up an impressive 35 Island Games’ medals! Now his daughter Jade is doing her best to follow in her father’s footsteps, having played in her first Island Games in Aland last year. Together with her brother Brett and young sister Mia, the whole family hope to see the Island Games in Jersey in 2015.

As Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, I have been involved in Jersey’s bid for the 2015 games from the very outset. From my perspective, I am keen to bring the Games to Jersey for three key reasons: 1. As one of the larger Islands, I believe we have a responsibility to put ourselves forward as a potential host, particularly in these difficult economic times 2. If we are successful in winning the bid, it will provide a great impetus for the sports associations on the Island and it will give them a real focus for their development plans over the next 4/5 years 3. The build-up and hosting of the Games will provide Jersey people with the opportunity to do what Islanders do best - pulling together as a community to show what we can achieve and rolling out a warm welcome to guests from around the world. I am really excited at the prospect of Jersey hosting the 2015 Games and I hope that you will give us the opportunity to show what we can do.

Jersey Tourism is gearing up for the island’s May ‘Walking Week’ – which attracts both locals and visitors alike. Designed to show off Jersey’s beautiful countryside and coastline, the routes take walkers through some of the island’s unique areas of outstanding natural beauty, as well as some fascinating historical sites.

Hundreds of cyclists sped along Jersey's beautiful green lanes and road network in the exhilarating Tour de Bretagne cycling race, held on the island last weekend. After a gruelling 150k, Holland's Jetse Bol, riding for the Rabobank team, was victorious in the first stage event, and team mate Martijn Keizer took first place in the 10k second stage.

I am vividly aware of how important the Island Games is in the Sporting calendar. It is against this backdrop that Jersey is offering to host the 2015 Games. The people of Jersey are extremely keen to have the Games back and I would be delighted if you chose to take up our offer.

As part of Jersey’s bid to host the International Islands Games in 2015, the bid committee have selected C.I. Travel Group to organise travel and accommodation in Jersey for visiting teams.

Jersey will host the opening two stages of the prestigious Tour de Bretagne cycle race in April.

Lucy O’Sullivan overcame stiff competition to claim the women’s individual compound title at the recent Commonwealth Games test event in New Delhi earlier this month.

Two International Island Games Association (IIGA) Executive Committee members are to visit Jersey this weekend for a presentation by Jersey’s Bid Committee on hosting the games in 2015.

Chairman Phil Austin has sourced a number of specialists to help him pull together Jersey’s bid to host the Island Games in 2015.

Creative Jersey, the Association recently formed to support the Island’s creative sector, has been approached by Jersey’s Island Games Association to assist with a bid for the 2015 Island Games.

In March 2009, Phil Austin was appointed Chairman of the Jersey Island Games Bid Committee. His role is to spearhead the campaign to bring the 2015 Games back to Jersey.