The Western Isles Island Games Association (WIIGA), sponsored by Bakkafrost Scotland, has finalised selection for the NatWest International Island Games this summer.
The week-long international event is this year being hosted by Guernsey, one of the 24 member islands, between 8th July and 14th July.
The Guernsey Games were originally scheduled for 2021 but were postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
WIIGA will take a squad of 106 covering 9 sports to the Games in Guernsey, which includes athletes, coaches, management and medical team.
The Games provide an opportunity for island athletes to compete at a high level international event, which will be one of the biggest multi-sports events in this year’s global sporting calendar.
The Guernsey organisers expect over 5000 participants, officials and media to attend the Games.
General Team Manager, Iain GG Campbell, said:
“We are delighted to be able to announce the team at this stage.
“Continuing our aims to provide the opportunity for our most talented young athletes to compete at international level with almost half of the participating athletes under 25.
“The announcement of the squad is always eagerly awaited and I would like to congratulate all those who have been selected.
“Following the postponement of the Guernsey Games and the disruption to sport due to covid restrictions it is exciting to see new talent emerging and we are really looking forward to seeing how they react to the scale of the Games and the standard of competition they will encounter.
“We will compete in 9 sports, Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Bowls, Cycling, Football (Men’s & Women’s), Golf (Men’s & Women’s), Swimming and Shooting (Clay).
“We will be competing in Archery and Women’s Golf for the first time and Bowls for the first time since Shetland 2005.
“The standards at the Island Games are incredibly high with many top international athletes competing across the range of sports.
“Overall these Games will allow us to assist the development of our younger athletes, with a sprinkling of more experienced athletes pushing to qualify for finals, and hopefully gain the odd medal here and there!
“The hope now is that everyone’s final preparations go well and that they all stay injury free.
“We are really looking forward to seeing this group represent our Islands in Guernsey.”
WIIGA Chair, Norrie MacDonald added:
“There is a lot of hard work that goes into getting to this stage from the athletes vying for selection, club coaches and team managers supporting their athletes and making some hard choices on occasions, and the WIIGA committee dealing with the logistics of getting the squad to Guernsey.
“We are incredibly grateful to all who give their time to provide this amazing opportunity for our talented sports stars.
“The Island Games is a key part of the jigsaw in encouraging our communities to be more active and giving confidence to our young people that they can compete at a high level against athletes from around the world – and showcase Western Isles sporting talent.
“A huge congratulations to all the selected athletes, their coaches and families.”
‘WIIGA is incredibly grateful to our main sponsor Bakkafrost Scotland for their continued financial and marketing support.
“We know they are delighted to be supporting the communities in which they operate.”
As well as the tremendous support WIIGA receives from Bakkafrost Scotland, many of our sports teams have received financial support from local businesses and organisations and our sincere thanks are due to them.
To date the following have given support: – MG ALBA; CnES; Mann Judd Gordon; Charles Macleod (Butchers); Lewis Builders, Nessglaze; ACE Electrical; Stena; Hebridean Seaweed; Duncan Mackay & Sons; Car Hire Hebrides; Store 67; Central Garage; Blackhouse Bakery, Woody’s Express Parcels; Stornoway Bowling Club; Ishga; RYKA Lodge; Ken Macdonald; BASF.
