Southern Water have just been named as sponsors for the swimming competition at this year’s Island Games.
More than 160 athletes will be competing in the swimming events which will be held at the Medina Leisure Centre in Newport.
The Games bring together competitors from 25 islands around the world for a friendly competition every two years.
A total of 43 swimming events will be taking place in the Games between June 25 and July 1.
Southern Water runs its Learn to Swim scheme on the Isle of Wight. When the island’s Games swimming team is named in May, it is likely that the majority of the Isle of Wight competitors will have learnt to swim through the programme.
Towels and water bottles too
As well as sponsoring the swimming competition in the Games, Southern Water will provide towels and sports water bottles to all participating entrants and volunteer officials.
Jenny Ball (pictured), Swimming Co-ordinator for the Games, said: “The four-day swimming event is eagerly anticipated as it always attracts a large, lively audience for what promises to be a very exciting competition.
“We are most grateful to Southern Water for its generous sponsorship, which will go a long way towards the high costs of installing and running an electronic timing system – a requirement for an international competition of this calibre.”
“In addition, the Isle of Wight Council has been able to secure funding for essential, upgraded pool equipment and grants have been obtained from Sport England, all of which will provide a legacy for swimming on the Island for many years to come.”
Around 3,000 world class athletes from 25 islands around the world will descend on the Isle of Wight for the Games. They will compete in several hundred events across 14 sports during the course of the week. This makes the NatWest Island Games the largest international multi-sport event ever held on the Isle of Wight and the biggest Games to date.
Further details about the NatWest Island Games 2011 can be found at www.natwestislandgames2011.co.uk
