Chairman of the Bermuda Island Games Association Jon Beard, and Secretary Juanita Blee, have been in Guernsey for the AGM of the International Island Games Association, and the preview tour for the 2023 NatWest Island Games which will be held in Guernsey from July 8th to July 14th.
There they joined the officials from the 23 member islands, as they visited the facilities that will be hosting the various sports programs and determined suitable accommodation for the Bermuda athletes. At this stage the Bermuda team looks to be about 100-strong.
Beard led the Bermuda team in 2003 in Guernsey which was Bermuda’s first experience of the Games, Blee was representing Bermuda in the Volleyball team at those Games.
Beard said, “I’m sure that those who competed in 2003 have great memories of the competition. The facilities then were excellent, they still are. Guernsey is a beautiful island with friendly people - very much like Bermuda! The organizers will indeed put on a tremendous Games.”
At the AGM the Maltese island of Gozo made their bid for application to join the 23 member Association. Gozo’s land mass (26 sq miles) is slightly larger than Bermuda’s (20.5 sq mile), but has a population of just 30,000. Gozo has a strong sports culture and is completing a large complex with a 50m pool and a sports hall. The Maltese island was accepted by the Island Games membership and will now join in the NatWest competition in 2023.
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