The Western Isles Island Games Association (WIIGA) squad are back home after celebrating new successes at the NatWest International Island Games XIX in Guernsey.
Sponsored by Bakkafrost Scotland, the team had an ‘incredible week’ winning four silver medals in the Mountain Bike Crit, Mountain Bike X-Country, Men’s Half Marathon, and Women’s Football competitions, as well as a bronze in the Women’s Half Marathon Team event.
Norrie MacDonald, WIIGA chair, said:
“The team has had another incredible experience, and they are an immensely proud group of top athletes representing the Western Isles.
“We had another amazing experience and apart from the terrific achievements in winning the medals, there were many personal bests from our young athletics and swimming squad and lots of other success stories throughout the team.”
The team of 92 athletes plus management, coaches and medical team, flew out from Stornoway on Friday 7th July to take part in the biennial multi sports event.
WIIGA competed in nine sports: athletics, swimming, shooting, cycling, badminton, men’s and women’s football, men’s and women’s golf, indoor bowls and archery.
“We are so grateful to Bakkafrost Scotland for their continued sponsorship and support of the association,” added Norrie.
“Our continued membership of the International Island Games Association (IIGA) is so important in providing our talented athletes with the opportunity to compete at an elite international sporting event where they can also mix with other islanders from around the world and learn about their cultures.
“I want to say a ‘massive well done’ to all our athletes who have worked incredibly hard to prepare for this event.”
WIIGA’s membership of the International Island Games Association (IIGA) provides islands sportspeople with access to one of the biggest international multi-sport events in the world, giving them an opportunity to compete at a high level.
Competitors came face to face with Olympians, Commonwealth Games athletes, UEFA/FIFA recognised football teams and professional cyclists.
Ian Laister, managing director of Bakkafrost Scotland, said:
“I want to add my congratulations to the Western Isles team on their fantastic achievements in Guernsey.
“We are proud to support the squad and were especially proud of Bakkafrost Scotland’s own Donald Macinness who competed in the shooting category, travelled home and was then back at work first thing on the next morning!
”Events like this help the team build their experience of competing at the highest level and we look forward to the team going from strength to strength at the next island gathering.”
