The NatWest International Island Games started in 1985  on the Isle of Man and have taken place every 2 years since then. The Isle of Wight is a founder member and two-time host of the Games (1993 and 2011).

The games have been dubbed by the media as the “Small Islands Olympics” and now comprises around 3000 competitors from 24 different Islands in 14 different sports, taking place over the course of 7 days.

This is the only international multi-sport event at which competitors from the Isle of Wight can compete for their Island in its own right, rather than being part of a larger nation such as England or GB.

The games give Island sportsmen and sportswomen a unique chance to experience international competition in a multi sport games where they can compete alongside and against some of the very best in sport.

The Isle of Wight Island Games Association’s objectives are:

a) To foster and encourage friendship through sporting activities between Island communities and to provide opportunities for sportsmen and sportswomen of the Isle of Wight to participate in international sport.

b) To coordinate administrative and financial arrangements to enable an Isle of Wight representative team to participate every two years in the International Island Games. 

We are affiliated to the International Island Games Association http://www.iiga.org

...those who compete to do their very best for their sport and their home island and have proved to be a good stepping stone to high level international success.

The Isle of Wight is ranked 6th in the all-time Island Games Medal table, with a total of 504 medals, including 160 Golds.

We are the only English Island that take part in these games and IOW competitors have gone on from the Island Games to achieve success at European, Commonwealth, World and Olympic levels including:

Kelly Sotherton (Athletics)
Darren Mew (Swimming)
Richard Wilson (Shooting)
Jess Andrews (Athletics)

Several recent Team IOW members – in sports such as Sailing, Shooting, Skeleton and Athletics – are now in Team GB national squads heading towards future Commonwealth and Olympic Games.

Through your support you will be helping the current crop of Island sporting talent from all parts of the Island take their first steps on the international stage.