Natwest Island Games buoyed up by Condor Ferries sponsorship 

Condor Ferries has announced a new sponsorship deal with the Natwest Island Games, an international multi-sports event which is being held on Jersey from 27 June to 3 July.

The biennial games, organised by the International Island Games Association, will see some 3,000 athletes from 24 islands converge on Jersey to compete across 14 different sports.

As part of its sponsorship package, Condor Ferries will be providing a Condor Ferries Big Screen in Liberation Square, St Helier and will televise both the opening and closing ceremonies, plus coverage of the different sporting events across the week, making the Games accessible to thousands of Channel Island residents. Condor will also be providing discounted travel to over 200 of the sportsmen and women and their coaching teams who will be travelling to Jersey for the competition.

Commenting on the sponsorship deal, Alicia Andrews, Executive Director - Commercial at Condor Ferries said: “We are thrilled to be involved with the 30th Natwest Island Games, which provide a fantastic opportunity for young sports men and women from small island communities across the globe to compete and enjoy international competition, as well as cultural and social interaction.  

“Our sponsorship deal will help to bring the Games to the residents of the Channel Islands, providing them with the opportunity to watch all the action on the Condor Ferries Big Screen. We are also offering discounted travel for the competitors and are looking forward to welcoming teams on-board our ferries from islands including the Isle of Wight, Ynys Mon (Anglesey), St. Helena, Guernsey, Sark, Saaremaa and Menorca.”

Two Condor staff members will also be competing in the Games: From its Guernsey office, Rebecca Margetts will be taking part in the women’s shooting; and Helen Day from the Jersey office will be competing in the athletics. Ken Soar, a non Executive Director at Condor Ferries will also have the honour of presenting medals.

The Games will commence on Saturday 27 June with an Opening Ceremony, featuring performances from local artists, along with a parade of all the competing athletes. A Closing Ceremony takes place on Friday 3 July.

Now celebrating their 30th year, the Games began in 1985 as the Inter-Island Games, part of the Isle of Man International Year of Sport, and were intended to be a one-off sporting celebration for 15 islands across the world. However, the Games proved so successful, that it was agreed to continue the Games every two years and the number of islands participating has grown from 15 to 24 today. 

There are 14 sports featuring in this year’s Games: Archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, cycling, football, golf, sailing and windsurfing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, tennis, triathlon, volleyball and beach volleyball.

The last Island Games were held in Bermuda in 2013, where the Isle of Man topped the medals table. Jersey and Guernsey were third and fifth respectively. The 2017 Natwest Island Games will be held in Gotland. 

Ends

Issued on behalf of Condor Ferries by McKenna Townsend

For further information please contact Rachel Hadfield or Mel Bradley on 01425 472330 or email condor@mckennatownsend.com