Primary schools from across the Isle of Wight, are coming together to form six representative “Island Games” teams who will face each other in a number of different sports at the Fairway Athletics Centre in Sandown next Saturday 12th July.

The event organised by Isle of Wight Council’s Sports Unit, aims to give over 350 young people an experience of Island Games and Olympic style sports, with an opening ceremony and mini medal presentations.

Each team selected by the schools will represent an Island taking part in the Island games in 2011, such as Greenland, Gibraltar and Rhodes.  The sports involved are girls football, basketball, athletics, tennis, high-five netball and tag rugby.

To help inform children of these sporting opportunities the event has a number of voluntary organisations setting up information and “come and try” areas for the children involved on the day.

Chairman of the Isle of Wight Games Association, David Ball said

“This exciting event is attracting great international interest from the other Islands taking part in the games and many are anxious to establish links with our schools”.

By staging the event, it is hoped many competitors will be encouraged to pursue one or a number of sports as they grow up, which can only benefit the Island and the health of children and young people.
 
The day is supported by the school sport partnerships and voluntary sports associations who will be providing team manager’s and young and adult volunteers 

Isle of Wight Council Cabinet member for Children and Young People Alan Wells said

“With the Isle of Wight hosting the Island Games in 2011, and London the Olympic Games the following year, I can think of no better event to encourage primary school pupils into getting active and interested in sport at an early age.

This will be a great day, and who knows, we may even see the early beginnings of another Kelly Sotherton”.

The games, which will become an annual event and forms an important part of the council’s support to the Island Games Association’s hosting of the Natwest Island Games, which is being staged by the Isle of Wight in 2011.

Isle of Wight Community News @Island Pulse.