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Fifteen young Islanders travelled to Majorca today to compete in this year's World Island Youth Games.
They join 1500 young people from 18 islands across three continents at the annual sporting event which is a showcase for future sporting talent. Islands competing in the event include Sardinia, Jersey, Canary Islands, Corsica, Martinique and Guadeloupe.
The team is made up of five swimmers, four sailors and seven athletes. The majority are members of Isle of Wight Council's talented and gifted scheme and the team are hopeful of bringing some medals home.
Last year, the Isle of Wight team won three medals at the Youth Games in Guadeloupe, winning a silver in surfing and two bronze medals in athletics. This was only the second time in the history of the competition that the Island team has returned with medals.
A number of Island athletes competing in these games have gone on to represent the Island at the Natwest Island Games, which are set to be hosted by the Isle of Wight in 2011. Many competitors, including James Foreman, Kim Murray, James Groocock and Jo & Tom Wade have all previously competed in the games and gone on to represent Britain at international sporting events. This demonstrates the importance of these games in developing talent and providing opportunities to gain valuable experience of competing on an international level.
A previous competitor in these international games has gone on to reach the very pinnacle of his sport. Rafael Nadal, the number one ranked tennis player in the world, once represented Majorca in the World Island Youth Games, unsurprisingly winning the event!
Lee Matthews, Isle of Wight Council Community Development Manager said: "The team has been training very hard in preparation for the games and are hoping to return to the Isle of Wight with some medals. Competing at the games is extremely good experience and will stand our young athletes in good stead for their future sporting careers.
"The games are very important and this is backed up with the likes of Rafael Nadal competing a few years back, which can only serve as an inspiration to our athletes."
