Latest news with #IslandGames
The National
3 days ago
- Sport
- The National
Orkney ready to shine as Island Games return to Scotland
So says Robbie Fraser, a member of the organising board for Orkney 2025 – the 20th edition of the Island Games, a biannual multi-sport competition that you could describe as the Olympics of small island communities. While attention in Scotland has been led towards the return of the Commonwealth Games to Glasgow in 2026 – 12 years after the 2014 games – Scotland has waited since the 2005 event in Shetland to see the return of this particular tournament, which will feature 24 teams competing across 12 sports. That edition was when a 20-year love affair with the Games began for Fraser: 'We went to Shetland in 2005 and that was a real eye-opener for me of the effects the Games can have on a smaller community – much less of a population than Guernsey [the hosts of the first Games he attended in 2003]. READ MORE: Music therapy strikes a chord in care, schools and hospitals across Scotland 'The whole place was absolutely buzzing about the Games and since then I've been hooked.' When Fraser first began attending the Island Games – and he has been a fixture at each one since 2003 – he was a reporter for BBC Orkney. He says: 'It was absolutely brilliant because, being a reporter, if you're with a team then you're kind of installed with them, you're almost part of the team.' As Fraser's career wound down, he saw an opportunity to move from observer to organiser. 'I met so many good friends in it [the Island Games] and I was aware that I was going to be retired soon. 'I wouldn't be able to go to the Games forever, and I wanted to be more connected to it.' He joined the Orkney Island Games Committee as vice-chair in 2013 and travelled to that year's event in Bermuda as team manager, where he has fond memories of the team winning a bronze medal in the team half marathon. He then helped lead the efforts to bring the Games to the island group off Scotland's north coast. With the support of the Government and local MSP Liam McArthur, among others, Orkney won the bid to host in 2023, which was moved back to this year after Guernsey was forced to postpone the 2021 edition due to Covid. (Image: Andrew Milligan) McArthur says: 'Having chaired the committee that successfully bid for the Games, I'm obviously delighted that Orkney will be playing host to the International Island Games this summer. 'It's a perfect opportunity to showcase what our islands have to offer while providing a stage for high-class sporting competition and talent.' In terms of population, it is the smallest island to host the event yet, with the Isle of Wight the largest. As much as Fraser stresses the friendliness of the event – in which crowds will cheer on athletes no matter where they come from – he is just as keen to point out that the competition between athletes is fierce: 'Don't be thinking that the competition isn't intense – it's really intense. 'It's dedicated athletes that are competing.' He's not wrong. A young Mark Cavendish cut his teeth in the Island Games before embarking on one of the finest cycling careers of all time. Several other islanders have earned medals at Olympics and world championships over the years. One of Orkney's star athletes is Taylah Paterson, a sprinter who has run for Scotland and competed at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Yet nothing really compares to getting to run for her island on home soil: 'For us islanders, it's almost like the Olympics. 'So when we had the bid to get it at home, the excitement was building that it could come to Orkney. 'The Games are extremely competitive but also really friendly – I've made friends for life competing at these Games.' This year she is targeting the Island Games 100m record, as her existing personal best is already faster. 'When I go away to compete they're always amazed that I come from the island – usually your best athletes come from the central belt area where the best facilities are. 'I've always been proud to wear an Orkney vest and it'll be really special to do it in front of our home crowd – it's fine going away and competing but it'll be nice to compete in front of friends and family and show them what I can do!' This unique pride in being an islander is right at the heart of what the Island Games is about. Fraser adds: 'Islands tend to be very self sufficient, very independent – very aware of their own identities. 'Here in Orkney, we consider ourselves Orcadian first, Scottish second and – if you want to – British third. 'We've got so much in common with the other islands – some are bigger, some are wealthier, but we're all just the same when we get together.' Paterson echoes Fraser's thoughts: 'If somebody asks where you're from you'll always say 'I'm from the Orkney islands … in Scotland'. 'You'll always say Orkney first. 'We know from being from an island it's unique, we're a close community up here, we're proud to be from here, and we want to shout about it when we can.' (Image: PA) Pride, friendliness and competition – they are the three main thrusts of the Island Games and they are the three things that come up again and again. Fraser says: 'We tend to be quite a quiet people, we don't tend to make a big song and dance about things, but this is our one chance. 'We've got great hospitality and I just can't wait to give that to everybody. 'It's our chance to say, 'Look, we're here, come and enjoy it.'' MSP McArthur adds: 'Each Island Games reflects the unique characteristics of the host island, but all share the same ability to bring islanders together, allowing friendships and ties to be formed and deepened – it's little wonder they're known as the Friendly Games. 'I have no doubt that Orkney will put on the best Games yet and allow all those attending, whether competing or supporting, to create many more special memories.'
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Island athletes shine at county championship event
Athletes from the Isle of Wight performed well at a county championship event. Athletes competed at the Portsmouth Mountbatten Centre at the Hampshire County Championship. This includes athletes from the Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands. Jacob Patey had a notable weekend. Emily Fry returns to form with long jump bronze despite recent injury setback (Image: Supplied) On May 10, he was narrowly beaten in the 400m hurdles, securing a silver medal with a season's best time of 58.54 seconds. The winner was Nic Ackermann from Guernsey, setting up an anticipated Island Games rematch in Orkney this summer. On May 11, Jacob won another silver in the high jump, achieving a personal best of 1.75m. This performance also qualifies him to compete in the same event at the upcoming Games. His standout performance of the weekend came in the 110m hurdles, where he clinched gold with a time of 16.74 seconds into a headwind. Archie Pearson claimed bronze in the U20 men's 800m, finishing with a time of 2:00.90 in a closely contested race. He is set to compete in middle-distance races at the Games in Orkney. Lucy Rann took home bronze in the women's shot put with a throw of 10.02m and finished fifth in the discus with 26.83m. Lucy is currently ranked Britain's No. 2 W40 athlete in these events. Veteran athlete Emily Fry, despite missing the 100m sprint on the first day due to a foot injury, managed to secure a bronze medal in the long jump with her best jump of 5.07m in two years. Other athletes also delivered commendable performances. Sophie McCallum, who is also set to compete in Orkney, finished second in her 100m heat and raced well to finish fifth in the final, despite battling strong headwinds. Holly Whitter came fifth in the senior 100m and fourth in the javelin. Noah Patey achieved a personal best of 4:21.95, finishing ninth in the senior 1500m. The Foster brothers, Seb and Theo, finished tenth and fifth in their respective 1500m and 800m races. In the U15 boys' shot put, Ben McCormack came fourth, and Noah Gartell finished seventh in the javelin with a personal best. Lastly, Ollie Donovan finished fifth in his 800m heat.
Press and Journal
23-04-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Why an Orkney businessman says his soon-to-open nightclub can work while others face hard times
An Orkney businessman has revealed why he is opening a new nightclub at a time others are shutting across the country. Neil Stevenson's Garden Square will be home to a variety of new leisure spaces, including a nightclub, a music venue, a bowling alley, an arcade, and food kiosks. The names for the nightclub and bowling alley have been announced as Rapture and Lanes, respectively. The project, within what is locally known as the old Gardens Buildings on Bridge Street, has been under way for more than two years. The plan has always been to have it ready for Orkney hosting the Island Games in July. Speaking this week, the businessman says he's on-track for the building being finished by the end of June. As part of that process, Orkney Islands Council planning department is now processing changes to the original plans, including the layout of the food kiosks and the addition of a new shed. The inclusion of a shop has been removed from the plans, as this will instead feature in Mr Stevenson's future plans for the Anchor Buildings next door. He also said plans for a mural by Scottish artist Laura Morsley are now with the council for a decision. Orkney has had a combined bowling alley and arcade in the past, and Mr Stevenson opened the county's previous nightclub, Fusion, back in 2003. However these have all closed down over the years. Indeed, venues across the country are facing difficult times. So why does Mr Stevenson think now is a good time to buck the trend and open one in an islands community with around 22,000 people? The answer from Mr Stevenson is fairly simple: Garden Square won't only be a nightclub. He said: 'It's true that there are more nightclubs closing than opening at the moment. 'But, we're doing this as part of a wider development. 'So, it's possible that the club might struggle on its own, but as part of the bigger development, some of the costs will be shared. It'll give it a chance. 'We'll have fairly limited opening hours for it. We'll only be open on Saturday nights and one Friday per month. 'We will open outwith those times for visiting acts, but we're not going to try open it too much. 'The market has contracted, but the trend in socialising is now more towards what we're doing with the bowling alley. 'When people go out now, they're looking for activities, not necessarily just going to a bar and consuming alcohol. 'So, the bowling alley will provide things for people to do. Hopefully, those people will go on to the club. 'For sure, it is tough times for nightclubs and music venues. So, we do need to support those.' The nightclub will obviously be primarily aimed at over-18s. However, he said they will be trying different types of events to make it accessible to everyone in the community. Examples include events for under 18s, nights aimed at those over 30, and daytime clubbing. They will also try to make the most of Orkney's booming tourist industry, providing an attraction for the all-too-common rainy days on the islands. As mentioned, Garden Square is not Mr Stevenson's first project. From Kirkwall High Street fixture Grooves Records, to Fusion, Grooves toys, and small-plate dining at Twenty One, he has a lengthy list of eye-catching businesses to his name. He won't be done after Garden Square either. Having purchased the Anchor Buildings next door, he says in early 2026 he will be moving forward with plans for a 'mega' version of Grooves Records, a food hall, shops, and accommodation in those buildings.
BBC News
17-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Nowacki savours 'amazing' British Championships success
Filip Nowacki says it feels "amazing" to have won two medals at the British Swimming 17-year-old from Jersey broke his personal best to win bronze in the 50m and 100m breaststroke at the London Aquatic taken a medal in the longer event on Tuesday night he returned 24 hours later to get a medal in the shorter event despite qualifying fifth-fastest as he overcame a difficult start to post a time of 27.87. "I feel amazing," Nowacki told BBC Sport."To be able to race against the best people in the country and come out with a with a bronze in the 100m and a bronze in the 50m is something special."It really goes to show that hard work pays off."The 100m was good, a massive PB and the 50m again a massive PB, and I think it's given me a bit of confidence going forward into 200m on Saturday." Nowacki's first senior medals cap an excellent few years for the Millfield School 2024 he broke the British age-group record for 16-year-olds in the 100m and 200m breaststroke and won a silver medal at the European Junior Championships over the longer came after he became the first Jersey sportsperson to win three Commonwealth Youth Games medals, in Trinidad and Tobago in 2023, before following that up with a silver medal at the European Youth has led to him being selected as a Team GB Podium Potential athlete, meaning he is thought to have the ability to make the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles."It really goes to show that anything can be done if you really put your mind to it," he said of his selection for the Team GB programme. "I was really happy, having gained that support that I now get."I get specialist nutritionists that help me and guide me through what I need to eat and what I need to intake every day to make sure I become the best athlete I can, along with psychologists and physios as well."Nowacki's next focus is the European Junior Championships in July, followed by representing Jersey at the Island Games for the first time."In 2023 I was really gutted that I couldn't go because I had a different competition that clashed with it and I had to pick the other one," he said. "It's very important. I've only really represented Jersey once in Trinidad and Tobago and I'm really looking forward to representing Jersey again at the Island Games."
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jersey Bulls boss confident his side can win title
Elliot Powell has seen his Jersey Bulls side lose just three games in his 39 games in charge [Lauren Trachy/Jersey Bulls] Jersey Bulls manager Elliot Powell is confident his side can win the Combined Counties Premier South title. Bulls know victory over relegation-threatened Sandhurst Town at Springfield on Saturday would almost certainly be enough to become champions. Advertisement Bulls are level on points with second-placed Redhill, but their goal difference means their rivals would have to win their final game by 21 goals more than the islanders to take the title. Should both teams slip up, third-placed Whyteleafe could win the title - they are just one point behind. "In terms of achieving what we set out at the start of the season, this gives us the opportunity on the pitch at the first time of asking," Powell told BBC Radio Jersey "It's an important day for the club, we've been looking for promotion from this level for about four seasons now, so for us to have that opportunity in our hands on Saturday is one that we need to take." Advertisement Only the champions will earn promotion to the eighth tier of English football, with the next four sides in play-offs for the second promotion place. Bulls were beaten in the play-off semi-finals last season, but Powell hopes they can build on their midweek win over Abbey Rangers after losing 2-1 at home to Redhill last week. "They need to play the game, not the occasion. I know that's a cliche but our lads have been really good at it all season," added Powell. "We play the opposition in front of us, especially here at Springfield. "We've lost a couple, to Redhill and Whyteleafe, but largely we've been pretty dominant here, and even in those games we should have taken something out of both of them. Advertisement "We've got a way of playing down here, the home support definitely helps that, and fingers crossed everything goes to plan on Saturday." Jersey Bulls finished second Combined Counties Premier South last season, but hope to go one place better on Saturday [Lauren Trachy/Jersey Bulls] Powell took over as Bulls manager in the summer from Gary Freeman, who had led the island side since they were formed in 2019. Despite only being 27, he came to the club with a strong record in local football. He guided St Peter to the island's domestic title and led Jersey's representative team to gold at the 2023 Island Games and victory in the 2024 Muratti Vase. He has continued that form as Bulls boss, losing just two league games, to Redhill and Whyteleafe, and once in the FA Vase to Whitstable Town - who have gone on to reach the final at Wembley. Advertisement He says victory on Saturday will be comparable to any achievement he has had s a coach. "That Island Games is always going to be pretty special, certainly the outpouring of of emotion on the pitch after the game was something I don't think we'll experience again," he said. "But I'm pretty sure Saturday we'll get pretty close. "It's going to mean an awful lot to the fans and the club if we can get over the line on Saturday." Related internet links
