The 2015 Manx Youth Games was officially launched by Tim Crookall MHK, Minister for Education and Children, last night (Monday).
The Games, run by Manx Sport and Recreation (MSR), take place on Saturday 16th May and will see pupils from primary and secondary schools all over the Island take part in 11 sports while representing their regions.
The Minister said: ‘The Games are a fantastic event and without doubt one of the highlights of the Manx sporting calendar.
‘It is such a great sight to see more than 1,000 colourfully dressed children parade in to the NSC for the opening before they disperse to different venues to participate in sports.’
The Minister added: ‘The recently launched Strategy for Sport 2014-2024 aims to increase levels of physical activity among the young for the long-term good of their health and, ultimately, the benefit of the economy.
‘The Manx Youth Games is a great vehicle to help this happen. Weekly training sessions offer accessible opportunities in all regions of the Island, then after the Games, hopefully children stay involved by pursuing sport as a hobby or joining a club.’
Staff from Sports Development Unit, part of MSR, will visit schools this month to show them a video of last year’s event and distribute information about how to get involved.
Training sessions, run by qualified coaches, start at the end of the month and run until May.
At tonight’s launch, at the Sport Institute at the NSC, the Minister welcomed Kevin Cartledge, Senior Manager of HSBC Bank Isle of Man, which has supported the Games since their inception.
Mr Cartledge said: ‘HSBC is delighted to continue its involvement with this wonderful event. The
commitment and dedication of all the sports co-ordinators, coaches and volunteers who are involved in making this such a worthwhile initiative is outstanding. It is a privilege for HSBC to support The Manx Youth Games and help with the community development on the Island.’
For more information on the Manx Youth Games, visit www.gov.im/manxyouthgames
Photo - The 11 sports’ coordinators and volunteers with Tim Crookall MHK, Minister for Education and Children; Kevin Cartledge, Senior Manager, HSBC Isle of Man and Gianni Epifani, Senior Sport Development Officer for Manx Sport and Recreation.
