Meet Jet the Puffin
Jet the puffin has been named and unveiled as the official mascot for Guernsey’s hosting of the NatWest International Island Games this summer. The island’s children voted for the name Jet, short for Jethou, after the seabird went on a road trip of primary schools. The name announcement was made at La Houguette Primary School, where the cuddly mascot was meeting young people and hoping to inspire them to take up sport.
Amanda Hibbs, Communications and Events Director for the Games, said there were several reasons why a puffin was selected to be the mascot.
“We felt the puffin reflects the friendship and family values of the Games. Puffins pair for life and return to the same burrows every year to raise their young. The Island Games are known as the friendly Games, with many friendships forged over the years. After the postponement, it is four years since the Island Games family has been together, so the symbol of a Puffin is very apt.
“The Bailiwick also has a long association with puffins, with colonies that return every year to Jethou, Herm, and Burhou. Our puffin Jet loves sport and parties, and will be very busy in the run-up to the Games and during the week itself. Jet might not make it onto a podium but is happy to give any sport a go.”
Sports representatives and sponsors were asked to come up with name suggestions for the puffin, and the results were whittled down to a shortlist of three – Jethou, Patois the Puffin, and Pierre Le Puffin. School pupils voted overwhelmingly for the name ‘Jet’ because although puffins are renowned for their big colourful feet and beaks, they can actually fly very fast.
Special interactive Island Games assemblies have been held in all of the local primary schools to teach pupils about the competing sports and the location and culture of the other islands. La Houguette Primary School was chosen as the location for the puffin name announcement because it is on the route of the triathlon and the cycling road race.
Emma Beardsell, Games Deputy Director, said that Jet was the star attraction of the assemblies.
“Jet showcases the spirit, heart, and spark of Guernsey 2023, and has received a very warm reception from the pupils. We’ve really enjoyed delivering these assemblies and they’ve had a powerful impact. The students are all so enthusiastic and excited about the Games, and they absolutely love the puffin.
“We always end with telling them to go home and tell their friends and families about what a great event the Games will be.”
The mascot is just one way in which Games’ organisers are trying to leverage sport to inspire and engage children to realise their full potential and live healthier happier lives. A series of projects and programmes are underway to ensure that every child and young person has the chance to get excited by the Games and feel part of it. Further details about these projects will be released over the next few months.
Autism Guernsey and the GSPCA will soon be launching their puffin parade, so the Island Games puffin will tie-in well with this community initiative. The puffin parade will be made up of 62 decorated puffin sculptures placed on plinths around the island.
