IGA Hears Games Report
3 March 2001

EVERYTHING is in place for the NatWest Island Games in the Isle of Man in July this year, while plans for the Guernsey Games in 2003 are well in hand.
The two islands presented reports to the International Island Games Association's Executive Committee when it visited Guernsey this weekend, with members travelling to the island from as far afield as Shetland, Gotland and Aland..

"We were pleased to have the opportunity to meet with the organising committees of the 2001 and 2003 NatWest Island Games and are confident that preparations for both are progressing well," said IGA Chairman Alan Cross. "The Games are increasing in popularity all the time and we are currently looking at ways to facilitate as much participation as possible without creating major difficulties for host islands in transport, accommodation and other arrangements."

The IGA Executive Committee meets twice a year and varies the venue for its meetings among its member islands. One item on the agenda for its Guernsey meeting was a letter of intent from Bermuda to apply for IGA membership.
The Executive Committee also voted unanimously to support Shetland's bid to host the 2005 NatWest Island Games, following an inspection report from IGA vice-chairman Bo Frykenstam.

"We will have no hesitation in recommending Shetland's bid to member islands at the AGM in the Isle of Man in July," he said. "During my inspection I was very impressed by the high quality facilities and the enthusiasm of the locals to stage the Games."

The only Guernseyman on the IGA Executive Committee was keen to acknowledge the role of the Games main sponsors in providing support above and beyond the event itself.

"NatWest also provides coaching grants to the tune of £10,000 a year to IGA member islands," said IGA treasurer Owen Le Vallee. "Three Guernsey sports shared £2,700 of that amount last year, which has enabled them to bring top level coaches to the island." 

Such is the High Street bank's enthusiasm for the Games that NatWest offshore's chief executive, John Harris, also flew to Guernsey to attend the IGA meeting.
"As the main sponsor of the NatWest Island Games, we were delighted to hear how well both the Isle of Man and Guernsey are progressing with their respective arrangements," said Mr Harris. "The whole concept of the Games is one with which we are very pleased to be associated."

The Bailiff, de Vic Carey, hosted a reception for the IGA Executive in his Royal Court Chambers on Friday evening, which was also attended by representatives from each of the main sponsors of the NatWest Island Games in Guernsey in 2003.

Issued by Neil Robilliard, Orchard PR, Tel. 01481 240600