More Praise for Isle of Wight

Already more than a week has passed since we left Isle of Wight and the NatWest Island Games XIV. We will cherish our memories and think back to our time on the island with joy. Not only those who participated in the Games in some way but also the people of Isle of Wight have shown their appreciation in letters to Isle of Wight County Press. Firstly a few words from yours truly followed by David Ball:

From Jorgen Pettersson Chairman International Island Games Association:

THANK YOU IW!

The competitors in the NatWest Island Games XIV have left IW. But the memories from a great week of sport will stay forever. Chairman David Ball and his Committee, the IW Council, volunteers, friends and the public, have brought islanders together for friendly competition. The many competitions were organised only through your outstanding efforts.  Matches were played, records were broken and medals presented. Frienships started. The IW succeeded by including the whole population - young and old. There are thousands of stories of the hospitality shown by residents to their guests. The IW acted as a true role model for the other islands.

In the International Island Games Association, legacy is a key word. It is what happens after the Games has passed that really matters.

Did the visit of international competitors inspire the youngster of IW to try harder? If that happened, it has been worth all the effort. It usually does. The IW is now the fourth island to organise the Games twice. We have seen improved venues, a grandstand being built and organisers being more structured. But more importantly we have actually seen youngsters grow. From the spectacular opening ceremony to with the world-class carnival display to the overwhelming closing ceremony as well as everything in between.

On behalf of all the Member Island in the International Island Games Association there are actually only two words that I would like to send to everybody involved in organising the NatWest Island Games XIV -

THANK YOU!

 

From David Ball, Chairman of the 2011 NatWest Island Games Organising Committee, Newport:

Great days. On behalf of the committee I would like to thank the Island population for their massive support at the opening parade marking the start of the NatWest Island Games XIV. For all of our team who live here the experience of walking through such huge crowds was a moving and inspiring experience while the visiting team were quite overwhelmed by the warmth of their reception.

For the children in the parade, the whole event left them with a memory that they will never forget and moving outside our own population Lord Coe and his support staff were absolutely staggered at the quality of the many fantastic costumes that our school children had created and by the community support. At a meeting of team managers the following day, the opening parade and ceremony were voted unanimously as the best ever opening to a Games. I will conclude by once again expressing our thanks for such wonderful support and results show how much our athletes have taken from the whole experience.

 

From Mrs Margaret Hunter, Newport:

Such gents: A big thank you to the Cayman Island team that travelled on the No 1 bus from Cowes to Newport last Friday. They were perfect gentlemen in giving up their seats to all the ladies that got on. Thank you again to the team.

 

From Abdul Mateen, Cowes:

Thanks for coming! I congratulate team IW for its success in the NatWest Island Games. I thank the world for coming. I hope the world had a wonderful time here on IW. I thank the organisers, the Council and fellow islanders for all their hard work.