Island Youth Project

Young sportsmen and women from the Isle of Wight will shortly head off to a warmer climate as they compete in the World Island Youth Games.

This year’s games are being held in The Azores in Portugal and the Isle of Wight is sending athletes in three different sports. These are swimming, sailing and athletics.

The competition is held between 26 – 30 May and 18 other islands are also competing, including teams from Crete, Jersey, Sardinia, Majorca and Malta.

It is the seventh time the Isle of Wight has taken part in the World Island Youth Games and history has shown that many athletes successfully go on to represent the Isle of Wight in the NatWest Island Games.

Isle of Wight Council’s Community Development Manager Lee Matthews is the team’s manager and is hoping to do the Island proud. He said “With the Isle of Wight 2011 NatWest Island Games coming up next year, the World Island Youth Games represents a great opportunity for our athletes to show what they can do in the sporting arena while also being ambassadors for the Isle of Wight.

“I know they will be doing their best too bring medals home, but importantly this will give the youngsters the valuable experience of taking part in top level competitions.

Leader of Isle of Wight Council David Pugh said “I wish the team the very best of luck in The Azores. Fingers crossed there won’t be any flight disruption with the recent ash cloud problems but I am sure everyone taking part will have a great time.

“When you consider some of the islands the Isle of Wight will be competing against have populations running into the millions, it is credit to the athletes that we have been successful in the competition in recent years”

The cost of getting to the competition has been met through the Youth Opportunities Fund and also by Wightlink, which has sponsored the sailing team.