Team Shetland off to Guernsey for international sports meet

A team of over 100 from Shetland set off for Guernsey earlier this week to compete in the NatWest International Island Games.

The opening ceremony takes place on Saturday (8 July) in the Channel Island’s capital St. Peter Port, and the sporting action runs until Friday 14 July.

Serving as a sort of miniature Olympic Games for islanders, the event offers a platform for hardworking sports enthusiasts to rub shoulders with some world class athletes. It also helps create, strengthen and renew bonds of friendship with islanders all around the planet.

Shetland’s contingent of 88 competitors and 15 officials will be taking part in ten sports – archery, athletics, badminton, cycling, football, golf, sailing, swimming, table tennis and triathlon.

They will join more than 2,000 sportspeople from 24 island groups, with several British islands and Channel Islands teams vying with athletes from the Caribbean, North America, the Baltic and the Mediterranean.

It is the first time global jamboree, usually held every two years, has taken place since prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. Shetland’s nearest neighbours Orkney will host the 2025 games.

Back in 2005 Shetland became the smallest island group to play host, delivering what turned out to be an enormously successful event. It culminated in a 5,000-strong crowd packing out Lerwick’s Gilbertson Park and roaring the team’s footballers on to gold medal success against Guernsey.

Shetland sportspeople have often found themselves amongst the medals in a range of sports including archery, athletics, cycling and swimming over the years – having taken part in the inaugural event in the Isle of Man back in 1985.

Many of those competing in the 2023 games have benefited from a top-class range of sporting facilities that has sprung up in Shetland since the 1980s. These include an extensive network of leisure centres and swimming pools operated by Shetland Recreational Trust.

In order to participate in the Island Games, competitors must either have been born in the member island or been a resident for 12 consecutive months prior to the opening ceremony.

Shetland Island Games Association secretary Bob Kerr says: “For our small population, Shetland punches well above its weight in sport – we have some fantastic leisure facilities and a strong sports community.

“The games is a highlight of the two-year sporting calendar that brings together a diverse range of island teams. We all share the same passion for sport but also face the challenge of accessing regular sports competition.

“After many months of preparations, the games offers an incredible week of competition among islanders and an opportunity to represent Shetland on an international stage. The medals won are hard fought but the memories and friendships can last a lifetime.”

• You can keep up to date with Team Shetland's exploits in Guernsey via the official website, which will be regularly updated throughout the week.