Follow the Island Games like never before

Friday 31 March 2023

New connectivity for the Natwest International Island Games will allow spectators to be fully immersed in the action with livestreams, real time positions of competitors and up to date results.

Sure’s work at the venues, which will host the action in July, will also be a lasting legacy for sports organisations to take advantage of.

“We’re incredibly proud to sponsor the Games in 2023, and make them one of the most, if not the most connected Games that have ever been, which is so important,” said Sure CEO Alistair Beak.

There will be livestreams of athletics, swimming and the football final primarily aimed at those tuning in from the other islands. For those in the stadiums or watching action out on the water, results and in some cases  positions will be displayed live.

Sure has consciously been backing grassroots sport in the build-up to the Games, including sponsoring Sunday’s Guernsey Marathon and junior cycling as well as some smaller teams. It has now put in broadband at all 25 sites where Island Games action will take place, in fibre or 4G mobile connectivity. That will increase speeds by up to 60 times to allow not only those organising the Games but also the spectators and media to be well connected.

“All of that investment that we've been putting into making sure that the event is the most connected event ever will stay with Guernsey forever and will benefit the community and benefit all the athletes, all the spectators who are using those sites for a long time into the future," continued Mr Beak.

All the sporting bodies that are running the events will get free broadband for the next 12 months. Sure Guernsey chief executive Justin Bellinger said that the company had built four completely separate WiFi networks which will allow streaming, live results and secure communication for the organisers.

It also allows people watching to be able to join a network, as well as helping the media in their coverage. One example of the infrastructure legacy is down at La Hougue du Pommier complex. At one end is the new Aztec football facility, a hi-tech offering using the latest technology with sensors and analytics, at the other the Table Tennis Centre with high aspirations.

All competitors and officials will get also get sim cards from Sure when they arrive. Organisers released the timetable for the Games earlier this week.

Pictured top(l to r): Sure Guernsey chief executive Justin Bellinger, Digimap owner Colin Le Conte, cyclist Mark Cox, Games' Communications and Events Director Amanda Hibbs, Sure CEO Alistair Beak, sprinter Abi Galpin, mascot Jet the Puffin, endurance runner James Priest.

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