Statements
As one of the smaller nations in the Commonwealth the Isle of Man is very proud to have been invited to host the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2011. The Island has a unique and long history in the world of sport and we aim to provide a superb festival of sport, which combines competition at the highest level with a friendly Manx welcome.
On behalf of the Government of the Isle of Man, I am delighted to extend a warm invitation to the sporting youth of the Commonwealth to join us in September 2011 to celebrate the 4th Commonwealth Youth Games.
Hon J A Brown MHK
Chief Minister of the Isle of Man
Next year Commonwealth Youth Games will be coming to the Isle of Man and our whole Island is looking forward with great anticipation to September 2011. It is fantastic for a small Island with a population of 85,000 to be awarded the Games by the Commonwealth Games Federation and we are determined to ensure that we live up to that honour.
Our Organising Committee are already working hard to produce a quality Games which will be focused on the athletes. In terms of scale it will obviously be much smaller than the previous Games in Pune, India - but every bit as competitive. Our aim is simple – that every Competitor and Official from the 71 nations of the Commonwealth will arrive as our guest and leave as our friend.
We look forward to hosting a memorable Commonwealth Youth Games in September 2011 and welcoming YOU to the beautiful Isle of Man.
Hon David Cretney M.H.K.
Minister for Community, Culture & Leisure
May 2010
The Isle of Man is a small Island situated in the Irish Sea. It is a Crown Dependency of the British Islands boasting of its own Independent Parliament which has existed for over 1000 years, and it is steeped in history. It has a population of 80,000 people who are fortunate enough to enjoy the beauty if the Island with plenty of beaches to breathe in the fresh sea air, lots of open countryside for ramblers, and an easy going environment in which to raise families. Its climate is moderate, never too hot, never too cold. One thing you can always be assured of on the Island is a Warm Manx Welcome.
Sports plays an active part in life on the Island with the Government committed to work in partnership with the IoM Sports Council, Local Authorities, Schools and Clubs to provide adequate facilities and therefore the ability for anyone to participate in sports, and go on to fulfill their potential by achieving National and International success. We can boast that the World Enduro Champion, a Commonwealth Game Gold Medalist in Track Cycling, and several British Champions in various sports are all Manx born people.
We have been given the honour of being the first small nation to be awarded the hosting of the Commonwealth Youth Games and we extend a warm welcome to all nations of the Commonwealth to come to our Island from the 7th to the 13th September 2011 and compete in what we hope will be a friendly yet very competitive Games. We are determined to make these Games one that will be favourably remembered by all taking part or coming as officials or spectators.
Geoff Karran
Chairman of the Organising Committee
The Organising Committee pay tribute to the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company for all their assistance in the difficult task of bringing athletes and officials over to the 4th Commonwealth Youth Games. The Steam Packet have arranged extra sailings for the event, provided discounted travel and assisted with baggage vans in Liverpool.
John Watt, Commercial Director of the Steam Packet Company said " we are delighted to be able to play some part in helping the Organisers bring over so many people from all over the Commonwealth to what we are sure will be a great sporting spectacle"
"Geoff Karran Chairman of the Organising Committee responded " It is only by the cooperation of Manx Companies such as the Isle of Man Steam Packet and the Manx public that a small nation such as ours can host an international event of this magnitude and we are very grateful to all concerned".
