Isle of Wight gets �94,000 for Island Games parade

The games were established on the Isle of man in 1985

The International Island Games 2011 in Ryde on the Isle of Wight has been given a £94,000 funding boost.

The grant will support 1,000 young students from all walks of life to choreograph the carnival parade through the streets of Ryde.

About 4,000 athletes and supporters from 24 member islands are set to attend the NatWest Island Games 2011.

It will be the largest sporting event held in the UK prior to the Olympic Games in 2012.

Bi-annual event

The Island Games Association received the money from the Arts Council for England.

Lord Coe, chair of the London organising committee for the Olympic Games said: "Not only do I endorse the Games as part of our international strategy, I also endorse it as a mile mark en route to 2012".

The games were established on the Isle of Man in 1985 and there are 25 member islands who compete bi-annually around the world in a range of up to 14 sports chosen by the host island from a list of 18.

The sports chosen for the Isle of Wight Island Games 2011 are: Archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, cycling, football, golf, sailing inc. windsurfing, squash, swimming, shooting, table tennis, tennis, volleyball.