ALAND are still claiming a record number of NatWest Island Games participants this summer, despite a fall of over 400 from their projected number last July.

The 2009 hosts announced this week that 3,211 athletes, team managers and external officials have registered to travel to their archipelago in the Baltic Sea, with that number expected to swell further with spectators and media representatives.

Jersey’s sports team managers met this week with Island Games Association of Jersey officials and finance and fund-raising were the main topics of conversation.

IGAJ chairman Steve Jacobs (pictured) said: ‘There has been no fluctuation in our numbers since we last met and much of the meeting was spent discussing costs, accommodation and fund-raising. ‘Everyone is putting on a brave face in the present economic climate and we’ve agreed to help spread the cost of the deposit with payments of £250 a month for three months with first payment due at the end of February.’