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WQ.185/2023
WRITTEN QUESTION TO
THE MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE
BY DEPUTY R.J. WARD OF ST. HELIER CENTRAL QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 24th APRIL 2023 ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 2nd MAY 2023
Question
“Will the Minister describe what plans, if any, are in place to provide a larger facility should Jersey Reds rugby club gain promotion to the Rugby League premiership, given the need for significantly larger capacity for games to take place in Jersey?”
Answer
The ground in St. Peter used by the Jersey Reds is privately owned by Jersey Rugby Football Club and leased by the Reds for training and rugby union matches. There are no plans for the Government to provide a larger facility for Jersey Reds.
A national stadium was considered by the previous Government but to be economically viable it would require Reds and Bulls to share the ground. However, the Bulls wanted to remain at Springfield, which has recently received £1.2m in Government investment.
Jersey Reds won the Championship (the league in which they currently compete) on Saturday 29th April but we are advised that there is currently no opportunity for promotion to the Gallagher Premiership because this league has suspended promotion and relegation as part of its Covid recovery strategy.
The Premiership minimum standards criteria would require Jersey Reds to have a 10,001-seater stadium in order to qualify for promotion.
Jersey Reds’ biggest crowd this season was approximately 3,000 for the match against Ealing Trailfinders. The average size of the home crowd is 1,000 to 1,500 and the current capacity of the stadium is 4,000.