The Island Games: A Postman’s Perspective

Jersey Post
Aug 8, 2017 · 4 min read

Although it may already feel like a distant memory, the 2017 NatWest Island Games were hugely important for the island — and especially for us here at Jersey Post.

As well as sponsoring our Team Jersey athletes, we also provided vans which carried their equipment over 2,000km all the way through Europe.

Two of our posties, Alex Romeril and Toby Payne went to Gotland with Team Jersey, driving the vans containing the team’s kit on an epic road-trip across Europe. We wanted to hear their thoughts on being involved with the Island Games, in their own words.

Toby Payne and Alex Romeril at the Team Jersey Vin d’Honneur at Fort Regent

We asked Toby and Alex how their trip to Gotland come about, and what made them want to take part:

One morning at Jersey Post, I heard an announcement that two drivers were required for the Island Games, so put my name forward thinking it would be an interesting experience if I was lucky enough to go!
- Toby Payne

I’ve never been to Sweden, or even knew that Gotland existed before the Games, so it was the perfect opportunity to experience countries and places that I would never usually get to see. I’ve always wanted to travel through Europe so this was perfect!
- Alex Romeril

Once they had been chosen, many tireless hours of loading vans and preparing for the journey were underway.

Some of our Team Jersey crew after the final van had been loaded.

The journey to and from Gotland was an amazing experience and we had a great laugh from start to finish! By the time we reached Gotland, we had travelled through six different countries in four days and had seen some unreal locations. One highlight of the trip was crossing the Øresund Bridge that’s half railway/half motorway and runs under the sea, connecting Denmark to Sweden.
- Alex Romeril

There were some amazing sites to see, like the bridge across the River Seine at La Harve in France and the tunnel/bridge crossing from Denmark to Sweden. Some of the scenery/countryside we passed through was very picturesque too!
- Toby Payne

The Øresund Bridge. (Photo credit: Nick-D)

Both Toby and Alex agreed that Sweden was their favourite country to drive through. Here’s why:

I liked the Swedish countryside best. Maybe it’s because I had never been there before? There was lots of forest and deserted roads. It was beautiful at midsummer, as the sun was still up at 10:30pm.
- Toby Payne

Sweden was certainly my favourite to drive through… It’s pretty woodland, twisty roads, scattered with stunning lakes, nature reserves and beautiful villages.
- Alex Romeril

BBC Radio Jersey’s Naomi Dunning grabbed this great snap of our vans in Gotland.

Being a part of Team Jersey was a fantastic experience for Alex and Toby — they even put in an appearance during the opening ceremony!

It was fantastic being recognised as part of Team Jersey, people we met along the way were genuinely interested and wanted to know how the journey was going. I was very much involved with the Team Jersey cycling crew, helping them set up various stages throughout the week. The Island Games Executive Committee also made us feel very welcome and part of the whole team. During the opening ceremony, we marched through the beautiful town of Visby with the rest of the athletes. The ceremony was spectacular with a great atmosphere, complete with horse riding, jousting and trumpet players!
- Alex Romeril

I was really made to feel part of Team Jersey the whole time we were in Gotland. We paraded through Visby at the start of the Games, and watched the opening ceremony from the stands of the arena. It was quite a show! After a few speeches and singing, there was a display of medieval horse riding and jousting. I got to see quite a lot of the Games throughout the week too.
- Toby Payne

Alex and Toby with Steve Jacobs, the Chairman of the Island Games Association of Jersey

After an incredible few days at the ‘friendly Games’, Alex and Toby described their lasting memories of the 2017 NatWest Island Games:

The whole experience was so good that I don’t think I could single out one specific thing. I am just really glad I had the opportunity to go to Gotland, and I wouldn’t have missed it for anything!
- Toby Payne

The whole experience of my first Island Games was incredible and was an honour to be involved. I had such a quality time hanging out with Team Jersey and watching them compete. It was fantastic to see athletes you’ve been rooting for all week to bring back the medals they’ve obviously trained so hard for! Thanks to the Island Games, I’ve met some awesome people that I now call friends, and have kept in contact with and memories that I will never forget.
- Alex Romeril

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