About the Games

The Executive Committee held its spring-meeting in the Aland Islands, the host for the 2009 NatWest Island Games. Brian Partington, Chairman of the IGA, said that it had been an excellent meeting with friends in Åland and that he was pleased by the progress made by both the 2007 and 2009 NatWest Island Games Organising Committees.

2011 Island Games host island

After a lengthy discussion, the Executive Committee decided to recommend to the membership that the NatWest Island Games XIV should be held in the Isle of Wight, rather than Bermuda.

Although both islands are fully capable of hosting the Games, have adequate sports facilities and a good proposed organisational structure, there are a number of reasons behind the Executive Committee's recommendation:

• Cost. The EC is concerned about the impact that the cost of attending a Games in Bermuda will have on the majority of competitors, and that it might mean that many are unable to afford the trip. General costs in Bermuda are also much higher than in many other islands.

• Date. Bermuda has offered to host the NatWest Island Games in late August whilst the Isle of Wight suggests June/July 2011. Bearing in mind that the school term starts by mid- August in several islands the EC believes the dates suggested by Bermuda are not ideal.

• Local public support. Whilst the sports-minister of Bermuda shows great support for hosting the event, public support is not yet very extensive, largely because the island has sent competitors to only two Games to date. On the other hand, senior politicians in Isle of Wight have expressed their full support for the NatWest Island Games in 2011 and the Isle of Wight has sent competitors to the Games since 1985.

Brian Partington admitted, "Which host island to recommend as the 2011 host was a difficult decision for the EC, given two excellent bids.

"However, the members at the IGA AGM will make the choice on the 8 July 2006 in Rhodes when island delegates cast their votes.

The IGA Executive Committee.

"At that meeting each of the 25 member-islands has two votes and each member of the EC has one vote, making 56 votes in total."

The IGA Executive Committee gathered in the Åland Maritime museum together with head of government and minister of culture. From left: Legal Adviser Geoff Karran, EC members Anu Vares and James Johnston, Rhodes chairman Lee Minaidis, Ålands lantråd (head of government) Roger Nordlund, Treasurer Eric Legg, Minister of Culture Camilla Gunell, Chairman Brian Partington, General Secretary Kay Batty, NatWest Head of Marketing Jerry Whitsey, Medical Advisor Carl Clinton and Vice Chairman Jörgen Pettersson.

Progress report on Rhodes 2007

Chairperson of the Organising Committee Lee Minaidis gave a full report on the progress and the preparations for next year's Games. The opening ceremony will take place in the Ancient Stadium of Rhodes.

Mrs Miniadis said, "It will be a memorable moment when the 2007 NatWest Island Games open in the same venue that was used for sporting competitions more than 2,000 years ago."

Representatives from the 25 member-islands will meet in Rhodes in July 2006 when they will visit the sport venues and attend the Annual General Meeting of the IGA.

There will also be a Medical Seminar held during the visit to inform member-islands of the impact the Rhodes climate will have on competitors and the implications of the agreement with the world antidoping agency - WADA. The IGA joined WADA last year as a result of a decision taken at the AGM in Shetland.

Progress report on 2009 NatWest Island Games in Åland

Chairman of the Organising Committee Dick Ekström and his colleagues listed the 14 sports that will be offered at the NatWest Island Games in 2009:

Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Judo, Sailing/Windsurfing, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis and Volleyball.

Although it is still over three years to the event, preparations are already well advanced. The 2009 Games Director will be Terese Flöjt, who has attended several NatWest Island Games as a volleyball competitor.

The NatWest Head of Marketing, Jerry Whitsey attended the meeting in Aland. As reported earlier NatWest has recently confirmed that it has extended the sponsorship agreement with the IGA for the 2009 Games in Åland, with an option to extend further for the 2011 NatWest Island Games.

Jerry Whitsey said, "It has been a delight to work with the EC during their meeting in Åland and to see how well the NatWest Island Games are taking shape for the future."