From Jörgen Pettersson, Chairman.
JERSEY is to be congratulated. Last Sunday Jersey won the honour of hosting the NatWest Island Games 2015 in the closest vote in the history of the International Island Games Association.

Jersey’s bid committee, with Chairman Phil Austin and the Island Games Association of Jersey chairman Steve Jacobs, along with all of Jersey’s other representatives, did an impressive job to convince the membership that Jersey has the ability to host what is today a major sporting event.

When the NatWest Island Games 2011 is celebrated in the Isle of Wight it will indeed be the largest multi-sport competition in the United Kingdom that year. The membership is already looking forward to the Jersey Games in 2015.

Although the Friendly Games keep growing, that growth will always be controlled. To us friendship is as important as competition and the IIGA has over the last 25 years proved that both can be achieved simultaneously.

So what’s next? Firstly the Games will go to the Isle of Wight, then across the Atlantic to Bermuda and then it will be Jersey’s turn. Preparations for the 2015 NatWest Island Games will begin almost at once and the reasons for everyone to become involved sooner rather than later are many.

Hosting our Games contributes greatly to the friendship between Islanders as well as adding content to those Islanders’ lives. All those involved with the organisation, even in a small way, of the Games in Jersey will have a lot to be proud of when the thousands of enthusiastic sportspeople come together at the opening ceremony. This is a feeling that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

The Host Islands of the NatWest Island Games invest a great deal more than money in the Games, but history has shown us that the return is even greater – thousands of additional visitors boost the local economy, sport venues are upgraded which contributes to improved performances in the future, the knowledge and experiences gained when hosting a multi-sport event is useful for future challenges and a common goal unites the population. This will happen in Jersey.

On behalf of the IIGA we thank you for your effort in bidding for the NatWest Island Games 2015.

We wish you a restful summer and look forward to meeting up again in the Isle of Wight next summer for the 14th time of bringing our islands together in friendly competition. Good luck and stay in touch.