Aland of hope and glory

Saturday 27th June 2009, 3:00PM BST.

It was still light when the first plany carrying half of the Jersey team arrived at Mariehamn Airport in Aland at 11 pm last night. Picture by Rob Currie (00727652)

Thousands of people will descend on the Wiklöf Holding Arena in Aland tonight for the opening of this year’s NatWest Island Games.

Among them will be the Island’s flag bearer Dave Ward and following in his footsteps, and no doubt hoping to emulate his medal success, will be almost 200 athletes from Jersey.

For some it will be a chance to soak up the atmosphere of their first Island Games as is the case for gymnasts André Romeril (15) and Aimée McDonnell (12), Jersey’s youngest athlete, who have the honour of being involved in the traditional water ceremony.

For others it may be a trip down memory lane as several team members return to the island that played host in 1991.

But the constant, binding fact is that tonight, after months, if not years, of hard work the Games start and the action gets under way tomorrow.