Many thanks to Martin for this comprehensive report from the recent NatWest Island Games which were held in Bermuda. Ed
After the huge success of the 2011 NatWest Island Games on the IW much might have been expected of the IW team for the next games, however with the 2013 edition being hosted across the Atlantic in Bermuda, things were always going to be different.
The high cost, both financially and in terms of time for the trip meant that the IW team was its smallest ever at just 30 competitors across just five of the 14 sports that comprise the games.
Medals in shooting and golf
Of those only Shooting and Golf were defending medals won in our home games, whilst the Sailing, Swimming and Badminton squads were virtually all fresh faces from the previous event.
A long trip was made even longer by a four hour delay to the flight at Gatwick, but thankfully the team had four days to acclimatise to the heat, humidity and time difference of Bermuda.
Opening ceremony
The games got underway with their traditional opening ceremony with the IW parading behind the English Flag carried by swimmer Paige Critchley.
As part of the opening a “water ceremony” is held where a competitor from each Island adds water from their Island to a display, the IW water carrier was Georgia Dye from Badminton.
High standard of competitors
During the week it became obvious that the standard of competition at the games had increased once more. This was particularly noticeable in the Swimming events where our team of nine (five Ladies, four Men) swam Personal Bests (PBs) time and again and yet struggled to make finals with times that only two games ago would have won Gold medals.
Over 60 PBs were recorded by the team and six of those times were the fastest ever by an IW swimmer competing in an Island Games.
Sailing and Badminton
Sailing and Badminton also struggled with the opposition and conditions. The Sailing competitors found light winds did not play to their strengths and against sailors with far greater experience including World and Olympic level regattas they struggled to make headway against the fleet, finishing the week just below halfway in the table.
At Badminton again standards were high and the IW team were outplayed but learned much about the tournament standards required for future events.
Silver for Dom Cowan
In Shooting there was an early success with Dom Cowan getting a Silver medal in the Men’s 50M Prone Smallbore Rifle competition. In doing so he beat Olympic Competitor Ross Roberts from Bermuda by one shot and was himself just five behind the gold medal winner from Jersey.
Conditions at the outdoor ranges were very hard and with competitors having to wear bulky clothing they were struggling in the heat. Dom’s Silver was the team of three shooters only return on the week.
Silver medals for golfers
At the Golf much was expected as the IW had gained both team and individual medals for the Men and Ladies in 2011, with the ladies team grabbing the Gold. The golf was played at the world famous Port Royal club, home of the Grand Slam tournament. Both teams got away to an average start on the first day, but were in touch of the medal positions.
As the week progressed though they moved into contention and by the end of the third round the teams were both in Silver medal position with the men just one behind the home team. As individuals, three of the men and Emma Powell from the ladies were also in touch of individual medals.
After a tense final round which included some delays on the very tricky 15th and 16th holes, both teams emerged with Silver medals with Emma finishing in fourth ladies individual. Matt Barnicoat and Darren Masterton also finished the week tied in fourth place as individuals, just one shot away from the bronze medal score.
Looking forward to 2015
On reflection the games were successful from a team perspective, whilst the medal table shows us well down on our position from 2011, there was a huge difference in the size, age and experience of our team this time and those who took part can be rightly proud of their achievements in difficult conditions a long way from home.
We now look forward to the 2015 NatWest Island Games to be hosted in Jersey where we hope to be able to take a much larger team. Also we hope that the IOW will support their athletes across all sports at a games which will be much easier to attend for competitors and spectators alike.
Images: Golfers L-R Back – Darren Masterton, Scott Meek, Brandon Robinson-Thompson, Matt Barnicoat
L-R front – Emma Powell, Sophie Beardsall, Sammi Keen, Jo Wright
