The Guernsey Football Association has taken the difficult decision to withdraw its men’s and women’s teams from the 2025 Island Games competition in Orkney.

‘Despite the considerable efforts of both the GFA and Guernsey Island Games Association, we have been unable to confirm suitable arrangements for travel and accommodation which meets players expectations as well as our safeguarding requirements as we will be travelling with a number of under 18s alongside adult players,’ said GFA Chief Executive Gary Roberts.

‘We appreciate that Orkney has very limited hotel accommodation and that the organising committee has been doing everything possible to increase capacity by setting up temporary accommodation in school buildings. Unfortunately, the accommodation we have been allocated does not allow us to meet our responsibilities when travelling with two teams of mixed ages. As a minimum, we would need to take additional safeguarding chaperones which are not included within our competitor allocations,’ said Gary.

‘The GFA Board discussed the situation earlier this week and agreed that player experience had to be the priority when considering our participation in the competition. They concluded that a combination of the type of accommodation being provided, the inability to meet the GFA’s safeguarding parameters for the trip, and the mixed ages of those likely to be included in both the men’s and women’s squads, has made Guernsey’s participation unviable.

‘We know this will come as a huge disappointment to the players but the GFA will be actively looking for alternative opportunities for off-island competition during 2025.’

The GFA has informed the Guernsey Island Games Association of its decision and has also advised the players.