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With exactly 500 days to go until the 2021 Island Games in Guernsey, preparations are well and truly underway.
The organising committee is working closely with all sports on their planning requirements ahead of the event, which will take place from 3 to 9 July next year.
"Initial invitations have been sent out to the 23 member islands and they've all confirmed that they will be bringing teams over in July 2021," said Games Director, Julia Bowditch. "Provisional numbers are high and it looks like this could be the largest Island Games to date."
Pictured: Tim Pond, Julia Bowditch, Peter Jory, Pete Vidamour and Matt Le Vasseur at the Fort Le Marchant shooting range.
More than 25 local venues will be utilised throughout the week to home 14 different sports, including:
"500 days may seem like a long time, but we have a lot to do," explained Sports Director, Pete Vidamour. "Since we can now say that the Games are next year, this seems to have spurred people into action.
"As well as familiarising ourselves with the venues, we have a list of questions that we ask on the site visits which cover everything from facilities to insurance details, catering availability, accessibility, wifi connectivity - everything we can think of, really! This is allowing us to compile a full list of requirements ahead of the Games so we can ensure that competitors, officials and spectators will all have the best experience possible.
Pictured: The 2021 Island Games medal design.
"A number of the sports are already used to hosting events and, for an island of this size, we have some excellent facilities and planning is going well. This is mostly due to the many unsung heroes in all sports working behind the scenes to ensure we have everything in place ahead of July 2021."
A draft programme is now in place, as well as initial plans for the opening and closing ceremonies.
"It doesn't matter if you're a fan of football, archery, shooting, tennis or athletics, there is going to be something for everyone," added Ms Bowditch. "All of the islands are looking at sending their best athletes, so we're expecting the quality at all sports to be of a top standard. We're also looking at a number of supporting events based around the Games, so there really will be something for everyone.
"As the Island Games are known as 'The Friendly Games', we're looking forward to giving everyone a goof Guernsey welcome."
Pictured top: Previous Island Games.
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