News Release - Saturday 9 July 2005
First Minister, Jack McConnell MSP opens The NatWest Island Games XI Shetland 2005
First Minister, Jack McConnell MSP today (Saturday 9 July 2005) officially opened the NatWest Island Games XI in Shetland when he attended the opening ceremony at the Clickimin Leisure Complex in Lerwick.
First Minister, Jack McConnell MSP said: 'This is not only a very proud moment for Shetland but it also means a lot to Scotland, showing of the islands and the country to an international audience leaving a lasting legacy of .
'Islanders are known for their friendliness and the friendly atmosphere that can be found on islands all over the world and The NatWest Island Games is a shining example of this.'
Despite the damp conditions there was a real international carnival atmosphere in Lerwick as 2500 athletes and officials from 24 Island communities throughout the world joined together to parade round the athletics track; waving flags, cheering and singing, prior to the official proceedings.
Sandra Jamieson, Chairman, Shetland Island Games Association, John Scott Chairman of the Games Organising Committee, Bo Frykenstam Chairman of the International Island Games Association and First Minister Jack McConnell MSP addressed the large crowd gathered to watch the spectacle.
John Scott, Chairman of the Games Organising Committee, said: 'I am proud to welcome you all to Scotland. This the first time the NatWest Island Games has been hosted by a Scottish island.
'We have all worked extremely hard to get to this stage and I would not only like to give a special thanks to our huge numbers of volunteers who have been key the success of the Games so far but also to our sponsors who have helped us raise £400,00 to stage the event.'
The Western Isles are competing for the very first time and Bo Frykenstam welcomed the Western Isles on the 20th anniversary of the Games. He
commented: 'The Games have always been an inspiration to all island competitors, fostering friendship and building bridges between islands and this year this has been heightened by the strong support of the Shetland community.'
One of the key features of the launch of this large-scale biennial international multi-sport event is the traditional Island Games 'Water Ceremony'. A representative from each participating island adds water brought from his or her own island to a specially sculpted water feature, which this year depicts the islands of Shetland. This tradition of the Games symbolises the unison of island communities surrounded by water and the coming together of islands for friendly competition.
The International Games Association flag was then raised high above the competitors as the Up Helly Aa Jarl Squad (Shetland Vikings) sang Norseman's Home, the island's own anthem. Two of Shetland's leading competitors from Archery and Indoor Bowls, Sara Leith and Robbie Leask closed the ceremony with the reading of the Games Oath.
Spirits are high in Shetland this evening as athletes look ahead to a week of exciting, keen and friendly competition.
Editor's Notes:
The NatWest Island Games XI, Shetland 2005, 9 - 15 July. Shetland is the first Scottish member island to host the games; and with a population of approximately 23,000 it is the smallest island population ever to host this large-scale event.
NatWest Island Games XI, Shetland 2005: http://www.shetland2005.info/ NatWest Island Games XI, Shetland 2005, event results website http//www.shetlandresults2005.com NatWest Island Games and the IGA: http://www.Islandgames.net/
The 24 member islands of the International Island Games Association are:
Aland, Alderney, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Froya, Gibraltar, Gotland, Greenland, Guernsey, Hitra, Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, Jersey, Orkney, Prince Edward Island, Rhodes, Saaremaa, Sark, Shetland, St. Helena, Western Isles, Ynys Mon.
Sports for the NatWest Island Games XI, Shetland 2005: 15 different team and individual sports have been chosen from a list of 18 set down by the IGA:
Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Bowls, Cycling, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Sailboarding, Sailing, Shooting, Squash, Swimming, Table Tennis and Volleyball.
Shetland
The Shetland Islands are situated 200 miles North of Aberdeen and 225 miles West of Bergen. Made up of a diverse group of over 100 islands, bordered by jagged cliffs and bleached white beaches, Shetland is ruled by water. The mainland of Shetland is approximately 70 miles in length and 35 miles wide, with a population of around 23,000. http://www.visitshetland.com
Funding Partners
Shetland Islands Council, Shetland Charitable Trust, EventScotland and sportscotland
Sponsors and Supporters
NatWest is the official sponsor to the IGA and the NatWest Island Games. The NatWest Island Games XI, Shetland 2005, is the fourth Games that NatWest has sponsored.
A large number of Shetland businesses are also supporting the games.
http://www.shetland2005.info/
MEDIA CONTACT:
Paddy Cuthbert - Podge Publicity :
17 - 23 Calton Road, Edinburgh EH8 8DL
T: 0131 477 2037 / F: 0131 558 3904 / M: 07968 699 636
E: paddy@podge.co.uk / W: www.podge.co.uk