FOR THE LOVE OF SPORT

Chris and Laura Riley met in America, but now back in Jersey, happy married couple with two children. Our roving sports reporter, Daniel Andrade caught up with them about how important sport is in their relationship as both work for Jersey Sport and involved with the same football club in St Lawrence FC.

Where did two of you meet?

We met in America, I had been living in Chicago, Illinois for the past 3 years working as a football coach at a Club and Laura had just arrived to work for the same company. The entire group of coaches (44 boys and Laura) went out for some team bonding, and we hit it off straight away. We worked for the same company but lived an hour apart so there was a lot of driving back and forth, but we made it work. We moved back to Jersey together at the end of 2015 and here we are today, married with 2 children.

How important is sport in both your lives?

Sport has been a key part in both our lives since we were very little. Both our parents are sport mad too, so I think it’s a just a family thing. Chris came from a rugby background, with his dad, uncle and grandad being coaches, so Chris was a waterboy and cone collector from a toddler. He played football at semi pro level before getting injured so moved into coaching from there. I have an older brother, so I was always outside playing football and any other sports we could. Sport is just part of our lives. I used to play sport competitively, but since having children, its more about being around my friends and having fun which I feel is just as important. Our children are now taking part in a variety of sports clubs so it’s all about them.

Do you enjoy both working at Jersey Sport together?

Yes, we don’t let it bother us to be honest. We worked together in America, so it isn’t the first time. We both manage different areas but are part of the same larger team. We just get on with it, a lot of our outcomes are the same and we work well together.

You also both are part of St Lawrence FC – is it good you share the same passion in football? (Laura)

Yes, I think it is a good thing, we both understand each other’s roles within St Lawrence FC and work together on various aspects. It makes it a lot easier as we are both on the same page.

Who’s the most competitive when it comes to Sport?

That’s a hard one as we are both competitive, but I think probably me.

How much are you looking forward to seeing your kids grow up in sport too?

We are lucky because both children have taken an interest in Sporting activity. Hudson is three now and is absolutely obsessed with football (and any other sport to be honest) but we always wanted it to be their choice, we would never force our children to do sport if they didn’t want too, but luckily they both seem really interested right now, so if that does continue then we can't wait to be the crazy supportive parents cheering from the side in the future.

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