The Minister for Sport has congratulated the Island’s successful Commonwealth Youth Games team, which returned to the Island yesterday.

Eight athletes – Jimmy Bostock, Tara Ferguson, Will Draper, David Mullarkey, Emma Hodgson, Kazia Whittaker, Euan Macmurchie and Joel Watterson – represented the Island at the sixth Games in the Bahamas, competing in cycling, athletics and swimming.

Jimmy Bostock won the Island’s first ever Games gold in the boys’ cycling road race on Sunday.

Tara Ferguson brought home a silver medal to add to her haul this year after finishing second in the girls’ road race the same day. She won gold at Gotland at the recent NatWest Island Games.

The medals are the first the Island has won at cycling at the Commonwealth Youth Games.

The Island invests heavily in sport and two of the team are supported by Isle of Man Sport Aid funding and another four are part of the Sport Aid Academy for up and coming athletes.

Minister Graham Cregeen MHK said: ‘Although only a small group, the athletes were superb ambassadors for the Island. We are proud of their achievements, which have resulted from much hard work and commitment.

‘I’d also like to congratulate the officials who accompanied the young people and the coaches who have overseen their hard work.’