Athletes from 24 different islands will be coming to the Bailiwick to participate in 14 sports. And although the Island Games are known as the friendly games, the medals are described as "vitally important to those participants who win one and will be a lifelong reminder of their achievement" so their design is of paramount importance. 

It's hoped the competition entries will incorporate aspects of Guernsey life into the medals, and can come up with some eye catching and memorable designs. 

Pictured: Previous Island Games medals. 

Dame Mary Perkins, chair of the Guernsey 2021 Organising Committee, said; "This is an exciting opportunity for islanders to get involved with the Games. We’re looking for people to be as creative as they can - the medals do not necessarily have to be round or made of metal. Anyone who lives in the Bailiwick can send in their ideas - it doesn’t matter if it is a hand drawn sketch or produced on a computer, as we have a team who will create the artwork."

Tom Hollingsworth, who has competed in swimming in seven Island Games, and Lisa Gray who competes in archery, will be helping to judge the entries.

"My favourite medal is the one from the Isle of Wight Games’ said Lisa. "It’s unusual because it is made of glass, and was also my first Island Games medal so is special to me." 

Tom, who has won medals in six Island Games, said; "the ones I remember are the ones that stand out as being different."

As well as the honour of seeing their design used for all of the medals during the Games, the overall winner will also receive their own commemorative set of medals and will be given the opportunity to present the winners’ medals at one of the events during the week. All of the shortlisted finalists will receive VIP tickets to the opening ceremony of the Games.

The judging panel will shortlist three designs. A public vote will then be held during August and September to select the overall winning design with the winner being announced in October.

Pictured: The competition entry form which can be downloaded HERE. 

Entry forms can be downloaded here. They need to be returned by 31May, 2019 via email to info@guernsey2021.gg or by post to Guernsey 2021 NatWest International Island Games, Medal Design Competition, La Villiaze, St. Andrew’s, Guernsey, GY6 8YP.

Guidelines:

• The Medal must be able to hang on a ribbon around the neck. The 2cm wide ribbon will be supplied separately so you do not need to design this, but you will need to allow for this in your design.

• The medals must represent gold, silver and bronze positions, but any creative ways to represent this are welcome - the medals do not necessarily have to be made from metal.

• Please do not be restrained by the traditional shape of a circular medal; this is your chance to get creative.

• The height of the medal should not exceed 7cm and the width should not exceed 7cm.

• All entries must include the wording “Guernsey 2021 NatWest International Island Games XIX” and the logo of the International Island Games Association on either the front or back of the medal (logo available to download at guernsey2021.gg).

• The shortlisted designs will need to be approved by the International Island Games Association (IIGA) Committee and NatWest International. They will both have final approval on the overall winner.

• There is a budget for the production of the medals. Technical advisors will advise on the production of the shortlisted designs, and finalists will be notified of any necessary changes that may need to be made to their design due to manufacturing constraints. Remember - a simple design often works best.