WIIGA announces squad selectionLT for Island Games XIX Guernsey
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, from Saturday July 8 to Friday July 14.
The Guernsey Games were originally scheduled for 2021 but were postponed due to the Covid pandemic.
WIIGA will take a squad of 106 covering nine sports to the games, 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 more than 5,000 participants, officials and media to attend.
General team manager Iain GG Campbell said: “Announcing the team at this stage allows us to continue 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.
“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.
“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. The announcement of the squad is always eagerly awaited and I would like to congratulate all those who have been selected.”
WIIGA athletes will compete in nine sports at this year’s games - archery, athletics, badminton, bowls, cycling, football, golf, swimming and shooting (clay).
WIIGA chairperson Norrie MacDonald added: “There is a lot of hard work that goes into getting to this stage.
“We are incredibly grateful to all who give their time to provide this amazing opportunity for our talented sports stars.
“WIIGA is grateful to main sponsor Bakkafrost Scotland for their continued financial and marketing support.”
In addition many of the teams have received financial support from local businesses and organisations.
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.
Visit the Western Isles Island Games Association Facebook page to see the full list of squad members.