British & Irish Lions visit to provide economic boost to Jersey, says Deputy Chief Minister
Jersey's Deputy Chief Minister says the arrival of the British & Irish Lions rugby team this weekend (13 June) will showcase the island to the rest of the world and provide an economic boost.
The Lions are using the island's facilities before setting off on their tour of South Africa on 27 June.
Senator Lyndon Farnham says the visit will have a big impact.
The team chose Jersey as a training camp back in April after Head Coach Warren Gatland visited the island and Guernsey to inspect facilities.
They will be training at Strive - a high-performance training centre based in St Peter.
The Government of Jersey says it will cover the on-island costs of the visit, estimated to be in the region of £175,000, with the funding coming largely from its marketing budget.
The visit of the Lions will then be followed by premiership rugby side Leicester Tigers who have announced a pre-season training camp and game against the Jersey Reds in August.
England netball have similarly organised a training camp on the island in July.