Isle of Wight athletes gear up for Island Games 2019

Around 130 of this year’s selected sports stars received their kits during a launch event at Northwood House in Cowes this evening (Tuesday).

Main sponsors ICRTouch, which paid for this year’s trip, were at the event to give the squad a final send-off.

Among those in attendance was ICRTouch CEO Colin Ringer and Olympic gold medallist Shirley Robertson OBE, appearing on behalf of Lord Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight Susie Sheldon. She wished the squad luck ahead of the tournament.

At the meeting, Chair of the Isle of Wight Island Games Association Martin Goodall announced that Table Tennis player Daniel Burns would bear the flag at the tournament.

He appeared in Gibraltar the last time time it was hosted there. Speaking exclusively to Isle of Wight Radio he said:

“I’m very fortunate that the reason I’ve been chosen is because I first attended the Gibraltar 1995 games, however many years ago that was!“So I was 15 years old and I’m nearly 40 now so for me it’s kind of like a full circle and I’m delighted to be going back.”During each games, a traditional water ceremony is held – the equivalent to the Olympic flame – where each island brings its own water to mix together.This year, water will be taken from Carisbrooke Castle’s well and presented by father and daughter Rob and Amelie Haworth.The duo will compete in the mixed doubles Squash event.

Rob said:“I take Amelie to a lot of tournament’s around Europe and England and that’s taking Amelie – so for me to compete with my daughter is something very very special and I’m very proud.”13-year-old Amelie added:“It’s a big thing for both of us and it’ll be good that we get to do the doubles tournament together. It’s nothing like we’ve ever done before.”The Island Games runs from 6th to 12th July.