Sport

Sport

Jersey has a proud sporting tradition, and against all the odds a large number of islanders have risen to the top international levels of their chosen sports. The absence of competition at a high level, poor training facilities and the difficulty of travelling to events outside the island have failed to deter generations of sportsmen and women, some of whom have risen to become household names during and after their careers.

In addition the island has attracted numerous successful and wealthy competitors on the international stage, attracted by low taxation rates and good communications and today some of the top recent stars of golf and motor racing are among those who have made their homes in Jersey.

Main sports

• Athletics
• Bowling
• Cricket
• Diving
• Football
• Golf
• Horse racing
• Motor sport
• Rugby
• Swimming
• Other sports

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• Island Games

Springfield Stadium

Jersey's main outdoor stadium is Springfield, in the town of St Helier. It has played host to virtually all the important local football finals, including the annual competition against Guernsey and Alderney for the Muratti Vase - held alternately at Springfield and in Guernsey - and the opening and closing ceremonies and football matches of the Island Games in 1997. Among the leading teams to have played exhibition matched in the stadium are Manchester United, and other major events staged there include concerts by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones in the 1960s.

• FB Fields

Harry Vardon

Harry Vardon is arguably Jersey's most successful sportsman on the international stage. He won golf's Open Championship a record six times and also won the US Open.

He was undoubtedly the top international golfer of his era, and just one of a number of outstanding players to start their careers on the Royal Jersey Golf Club links course on Grouville Common

• Some other prominent sportsmen and women

'Dot' Macready

Edythe Amy Macready, universally known as Dot, was Empire gold medallist at high diving in London in 1933, and a major celebrity in her native island of Jersey.

Graeme Le Saux

Jersey's most successful footballer on the world stage, Graeme Le Saux played professional football for Blackburn Rovers, Chelsea and Southampton, and represented England in 36 internationals.