Catching up with… Gary Roberts, CEO at Guernsey FA
We spoke to Gary Roberts, Guernsey FA's CEO, about the significance of moving to Victoria Park, why football can be a force for good beyond the pitch and the Association's ambitions to make the game a sport for all in Guernsey.
What can you tell us about the Guernsey FA?
The Guernsey FA is responsible for developing, administering and safeguarding football in the island. With over 130 years of history championing Guernsey's most popular sport, the Guernsey FA has established a unique identity as the custodian of local football.
We are fully committed to safeguarding the sport while ensuring the whole community benefits by encouraging inclusion and participation across every age group and demographic.
What about your role as CEO?
My role is to develop and oversee the Association's strategic direction. I work with various stakeholders to provide appropriate support across the game and ensure football continues to grow, develop, and meet the demands of everyone involved.
I also work alongside the clubs, Guernsey Football League, referees, volunteers, corporate partners, the GFA Youth Council, and various Committees, organisations and people who play an important role in the game.
It is my job, and that of the Guernsey FA staff, to ensure that football in Guernsey remains a positive aspect of island life and Victoria Park will undoubtedly play a significant role in that for many years to come.
How do you feel about the Guernsey FA finally having its own head office?
It is an exciting time for the Guernsey FA. We were founded in 1893, but this is the first time we have had a home facility. We can now better support the game in Guernsey, create new opportunities for people to participate and deliver on numerous strategic objectives.
For those working and volunteering for the Guernsey FA, we can reflect on the hard work to get to this point and get excited about what the future will look like – not just for the Association but for all of football in Guernsey.
How will the new stadium support the Guernsey FA's strategy of supporting grassroots football?
Victoria Park will be an integral element of the Guernsey FA strategy to support and develop the grassroots game in the island. Guernsey's new ‘Home of Football', an ambitious vision to provide a state-of-the-art 3G Stadia community facility, will provide Guernsey football with a world-class all-weather facility and a hub that will become a focal point for many generations of football and community stakeholders.
The stadium will set the standard, inspiring more people to get involved, from clubs and schools to community groups, and enjoy the physical and social benefits of the game.
With greater accessibility to the game through new participation opportunities, this facility will be transformational in supporting the Guernsey FA's inclusion plans that provide football for ALL.
However, Victoria Park is more than just a football pitch. With all of the other excellent facilities on the site, we really want to ensure that this becomes a welcoming and accessible facility for the football and wider island community.
Without question, this is a facility that the island should be proud of.
Can you share some of the Guernsey FA's key aims over the next five years?
The next five years are focussed on identifying and responding to new challenges and opportunities arising within the game - and what Victoria Park will provide.
We have established our strategic objectives, but we aim to extend beyond simple football participation and into how football can positively impact lives beyond the pitch.
Our aim is to increase participation opportunities, provide equal access for women and girls to play, support the existing strong club network, recruit, and retain a strong volunteer network, while ensuring everyone can access and enjoy the game they love in safe and welcoming environments.
If we achieve this, the Guernsey FA has fulfilled its responsibility to serve and unite the football and wider community through shared values and positive experiences.
What is your favourite thing about your job?
The best part is that every day is different. The role is so varied, and there is a need to engage and work with so many people and organisations on a regular basis. We are fortunate that so many people here in Guernsey have a passion for the game.
Football never stops. There is always something happening within the game that presents a challenge or an opportunity, and that is something I enjoy.
