The 2019 NatWest International Island Games was held in Gibraltar between the 6th – 12th July 2019 in what were our 8th Games. 22 member Islands competed, with Alderney not represented this time and Rhodes having had to resign their membership since the last Games. It is estimated that 2000 participants took part, which is lower than the previous two Games. This was largely due to the lack of bed space available in Gibraltar. Team Western Isles was again the leading Scottish Island on the medal table with 4 Golds, 2 Silver and 2 Bronze medals won in swimming and athletics. The team finished in 12th place overall in the medal table. The honour of the position of team Flag Bearer was given to Eve Carrington and our Water Carrier was Beth MacPhail.

 

A total squad of 50 represented the Western Isles competing in 5 sports: athletics, badminton, cycling (road), shooting and swimming.  Football, golf and mountain biking were not included in the Games.

The majority of the competitors were accommodated in what was previously a housing scheme for army families. This created a unique “Games Village” and was perfectly adequate for the team, which was spread across 7 houses. One house was for the medical team and they were able to set up a clinic with enough space to deal with physio/massage needs.

The Games were well organised and the venues were all brand new and of a very high standard. All the venues (except for cycling and the half marathon) were within 25 mins walking distance from the accommodation. There was also a good Games bus service available. This meant that competitors were able to watch other sports easily when not competing. This is always appreciated. 

Kara Hanlon continued to dominate the women’s breaststroke, winning Gold and breaking the Games records in the 50m, 100m and 200m events. She also won gold in the 100m and silver in the 200m individual medley. A fantastic achievement.

There were many other notable performances throughout the week. A few of the highlights were – Kevin Smith’s cycling time trial that finished with a 5km cycle to the top of the Rock; 16 year old Marion McCorquodale’s 5th place in her first senior shot put event; Mary Macleod and Heather Mackinnon’s performances in the triple jump, winning silver and bronze respectively; the progress of the badminton team, competing for the first time at the Games; the commitment of the shooters in very challenging conditions; Isla Budge becoming the third athlete to have been supported through our local performance development programme for talented young athletes to medal status, winning bronze in the 400m freestyle.  

 

Most significant in our aim to provide the opportunity for young people to compete at international level was the number of personal bests and impressive performances produced by our up and coming young sports stars. The swimming squad alone had 32 PB’s in 53 races. This is hugely encouraging and a credit to themselves, their coaches and everyone who supports them in their ambitions.

 

Congratulations to all competitors, managers and committee members for making the Gibraltar Games a success as focus now turns to the NatWest International Island Games XIX Guernsey 2021.

 

Huge thanks to our main sponsor, The Scottish Salmon Company, with whom we have developed a friendly and mutually beneficial relationship over the past 4 years, and all others who supported our fund raising efforts to enable our talented athletes to attend the Games as affordably as possible.