CHAIRMAN-ELECT PLEDGES TO CONTINUE
CONTROLLED GROWTH OF ISLAND GAMES

The chairman-elect of the International Island Games Association, The Venerable Brian Partington OBE, (Isle of Man) has pledged to continue the controlled growth of the event whilst keeping the philosophy of the ‘friendly games’ which has existed since their inception in 1985.

His name will go before the annual meeting of the organisation, during the NatWest Island Games in Shetland in July, for approval. His is the only nomination. Brian Partington has served as vice-chairman, under Bo Frykenstam, for the past four years and before that made a significant contribution to sport in the Isle of Man as executive chairman of the Island’s Sports Council and Chairman of the 2001 NatWest Island Games organising committee

He said: “I am honoured to have been nominated as chairman of the International Island Games Committee. Bo has been an excellent chairman and it was a privilege to work with him. His will be a hard act to follow. It is good to see one of the outstanding athletes of the early games, Jorgen Pettersson, nominated as vice-chairman after being a popular committee member.”

Mr. Pettersson, from Aland, is the only nomination for the position of vice-chairman while Guernsey’s Eric Legg is set to continue as treasurer. Geoff Karran from the Isle of Man and Dr.Carl Clinton (Jersey) are also the only nominees for the posts of honorary legal adviser and honorary medical adviser respectively.

There is to be a contest for the three remaining positions on the executive committee as five names have been put forward for the three seats. With Jaan Lember from Saaremaa stepping down it means that of the nominees only James Johnston from Shetland will have served before, so there will be at least two new members. One lady – possibly more - will be joining the committee as three have been nominated.

Nominations are in respect of: John Hunt (Guernsey), James Johnston (Shetland), Donna Jones (Ynys Mon), Anu Varez (Saaremaa) and Eileen Vowden (Jersey).

The retiring chairman, Bo Frykenstam from Gotland, has been proposed as a Life Member of the International Island Games Association, as has current committee member Jaan Lember.