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The NatWest Island Games 2011

The Isle of Wight will be the proud hosts of the NatWest Island Games in 2011. An exciting “Get Involved” programme has been developed by the organisers to help capture the imagination of the Island community and create a truly spectacular event with a lasting sporting and cultural legacy for the Island.“Get Involved” offers people on the Isle of Wight, and around the world, ways to be part of the 2011 Natwest Island Games in a variety of ways – large or small.

The NatWest International Island Games 2011 will offer a unique experience for athletes, spectators and volunteers. The Isle of Wight Games Association would like to hear from anyone interested in volunteering during the NatWest Island Games.

Don’t worry if you are not sure how much time you can volunteer in 2011 as the organisers aren’t asking you to commit yourself to anything just yet. They will simply keep you informed of developments as they happen over the next few years and contact you with opportunities and ways to “Get Involved”.

The Games present the Isle of Wight with a unique chance to showcase its sporting prowess on an international stage, and is seen by both the Island Games Association and the Isle of Wight Council (who are partners in the games) as a key event in the lead up to the 2012 London Olympics.

The Isle of Wight Council has pledged its support to maximise the benefits to the Island when it hosts the games. Part of this pledge will be a range of sports development initiatives leading to increasing participation and performance. This ranges from Return to Sport initiatives to the Primary School Island Games – all of which encourages participation in healthy sporting activity.

As well as athletes, volunteers and sponsors being invited to “Get Involved”, schools are invited too. A number of schools have already expressed an interest in joining the education programme which accompanies the Island Games, both during the build up and during the sporting event itself.

Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, Cllr David Pugh said: “As a council we are delighted to support an event which will not only bring thousands of visitors to the Isle of Wight, providing economic and social benefits, but also leave a lasting sporting and cultural legacy.”

David Ball, Chairman of the Isle of Wight Organising Committee said: “Our Games will possibly be the largest to date and, with the 2012 Olympic Games in London looming large, we are in a unique position to attract more media and public interest than ever before. Competition is always keen but throughout the Games Week lifelong friendships across the world are formed and maintained long after the Games are over.

Here on the Isle of Wight we are endeavouring to continue this theme by accommodating as many teams as possible in a number of sites which can provide a `Games Village` atmosphere and which will allow athletes, officials and possibly supporters to mingle and enjoy each others company outside competition.”

Click here for more details on how to get to the Isle of Wight and where to stay, eat and drink or telephone 01983 813813.