The travelling WIIGA Team is once again sponsored by Bakkafrost.

The week-long international event is this year hosted by Orkney, one of the 24 member islands, between 12 July and 18 July. The Orkney Games will be WIIGA’s 10th Games since their first in Shetland in 2005, and our 20th Anniversary of competing.

WIIGA will take a squad of 105 covering 10 sports to the Games in Orkney, which includes athletes, coaches, management and medical team. The Games provide an opportunity for island athletes to compete at a high-level international event, which will be one of the biggest multi-sports events in this year’s global sporting calendar. The Orkney organisers expect over 4000 participants, officials and media to attend the Games.

General Team Manager, Iain GG Campbell, said, 

“We are delighted to be able to announce the squad travelling to compete in Orkney. Continuing our aims to provide the opportunity for our most talented young athletes to compete at international level with over 50% of the participating athletes under 25. The announcement of the squad is always eagerly awaited and I would like to congratulate all those who have been selected.”

“Orkney were originally scheduled to host the 2023 Games but the Covid-19 pandemic has delayed their big moment. It is exciting to see new talent emerging and we are really looking forward to seeing how they react to the scale of the Games and the standard of competition they will encounter. We will compete in 10 sports, Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Bowls, Cycling, Men’s Football, Women’s Football, Men’s Golf, Women’s Golf and Swimming.”

“The standards at the Island Games are incredibly high with many top international athletes competing across the range of sports. Overall, these Games will allow us to assist the development of our younger athletes, with a sprinkling of more experienced athletes pushing to qualify for finals and hopefully challenge for medals.”

“The hope now is that everyone’s final preparations go well and that they all stay injury free. We are really looking forward to seeing this group represent our Islands in Orkney.”

WIIGA Chair, Cllr Norrie MacDonald added, 

“There is a lot of hard work that goes into getting to this stage from the athletes vying for selection, club coaches and team managers supporting their athletes and making some hard choices on occasions, and the WIIGA committee dealing with the logistics of getting the squad to Orkney. We are incredibly grateful to all who give their time to provide this amazing opportunity for our talented sports stars.”

“The Island Games is a key part of the jigsaw in encouraging our communities to be more active and giving confidence to our young people that they can compete at a high level against athletes from around the world - and showcase Western Isles sporting talent. A huge congratulations to all the selected athletes, their coaches and families.”  

WIIGA is incredibly grateful to our main sponsor Bakkafrost Scotland for their continued financial and marketing support. We know they are delighted to be supporting the communities in which they operate.

As well as the tremendous support WIIGA receives from Bakkafrost Scotland, many of our sports teams have received financial support from local businesses and organisations and our sincere thanks are due to them. Other WIIGA sponsors to be revealed soon.

Photo: Top row – Colin Macritchie (Men’s Golf); Jane Nicolson (Women’s Golf); Jessica Macleod (Women’s Football); Tony Wesley (Athletics); Kerry MacPhee (Cycling); Ben Denehy (Badminton) Bottom row - Jack Maclennan (Men’s Football); Peter O’Donnell (Lawn Bowls); Kara Hanlon (Swimming); Louise Campbell (Archery)