Executive Committee Meeting, Visby, Gotland March 22-25, 2012
Wed, 28 Mar 2012
The Executive Committee of the International Island Games Association (IIGA) this year held its annual spring meeting in Visby, Gotland.
Gotland, who previously hosted the first "NatWest Island Games" in 1999 when NatWest began the Title Sponsorship agreement with the IIGA, is the only Member Island to declare an interest in hosting the Games in 2017.
In addition to its normal agenda the Executive Committee held meetings with representatives of the Regional Authority - Region Gotland, Mayor Ake Svensson, the 2017 Gotland Bid Committee, Gotland Sports Federation and some of the Games Sports to discuss their Bid. Several of the sports venues and proposed accommodation sites were also visited.
Jorgen Pettersson, Chairman of the IIGA Executive Committee: "We are delighted to have confirmed what we already knew. Gotland is ready and able to host to 2017 Games. Gotland has the knowledge, the infrastructure and a strong will to again become a Host Island."
Paul Scope, Co-opted Member of the Executive Committee, gave a full report to the meeting on the preparations for the 2013 NatWest Island Games in Bermuda. The preliminary number of competitors as indicated by the 24 Member Islands so far is approximately 1800.
The most popular sport will be Athletics, which has attracted interest from all 24 Member Islands. However it is still to early to close the books! Recent news regarding lower priced accommodation options could create even more interest for sunny and colourful Bermuda.
The Bermuda Organising Committee (OC) is still working hard to provide more affordable accommodation. The Member Islands were informed recently that there are currently 840 beds available in schools and a barracks. 400 in a school located within 350m of the National Stadium approximately £55 -£65 per person per night including 3 meals per day; 200 bunk beds at the Regiment Base at approximately £35-£45 per person per night including one meal per day; 240 at 2 schools for approximately £40-£50 per person per night also including one meal per day. This is a bargain! And a unique opportunity to visit one of our Member Islands on the "other side" of the Atlantic.
The Bermuda OC is also negotiating with travel providers to assist Member Islands with finding the most convenient and cost effective travel options to Bermuda.
Paul Scope said: "We are looking forward to welcoming the delegates from all the Member Islands and the Executive Committee to Bermuda for the Preview Visit and the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in July this year. The 2013 NatWest Island Games will be the first Games on "our" side of the Atlantic and we are sure it will be very, very special."
The IIGA AGM will be held in Bermuda on Saturday 14 July 2012. At this meeting the 24 Member Islands will decide the Host Island for the 2017 Games and whether or not the Executive Committee should proactively search for a 25th Member of the Association. During the remainder of the Preview Visit the delegates from the Member Islands will visit the sports venues and accommodation to be used for the 2013 NatWest Island Games.
The NatWest Island Games XV will take place in Bermuda from 13 - 19 July 2013 and will be the 8th Games with NatWest as the Title Sponsor.
Jerry Whitsey, Chairman of NatWest International's Corporate Social Responsibility Board, commented: "It is a delight to see the long term prospects for the Games so vibrant with Member Islands like Gotland ready to step forward to Host the Games in the future. In uncertain ecomonic times this is a wonderful testament to the spirit of "The Friendly Games". At NatWest we are proud to play our part in supporting all our island communities as they prepare for the next NatWest Island Games in Bermuda, a unique event we all look forward to with excitment."
For more informaion please visit our websites: www.natwestislandgames2013.com and www.iiga.org or www.islandgames.net
Or contact either:
Jorgen Pettersson, Chairman of the IIGA (+3584573135640, jorgen.pettersson@aland.net) or Jon Beard, Chairman of the Bermuda 2013 Organising Committee (+14415059901, jbeard@saltus.bm)
