The Final Phase of Training Has Begun!
Dear Friends of the NatWest Island Games,
We have come a long way since the first 'Inter-Island Games' held in the Isle of Man in 1985. Indeed many of the athletes that will take home medals from the NatWest Island Games in the Isle of Wight this summer were not even born then.
Over these 26 years our Member Islands have grown closer to each other. Athletes that were then only able to compete on their own islands today have the opportunity to challenge sportspeople from all over the world. The International Island Games Association has contributed to the higher level of sports competitions on all of our islands as well as to a greater understanding between diverse societies and, most important of all, to lifelong friendships between competitors from all over the globe.
NatWest Island Games 2011 will be one of the largest multi-sport events in Europe, maybe even the world, this year. That is challenging for all of us, particularly as the rest of the world will be following our efforts to create 'the Friendly Games' in the Isle of Wight. The Association we have all helped to develop over the last 26 years is now ready to face whatever challenges the future may bring. But we must never forget that as the Friendly Games our main aim is to bring islands together in sport and friendship.
Good luck with your final preparations and training!
May the best islander win!
Jorgen Pettersson
IIGA Chairman
