International Island Games
The International Island Games is an event that runs every two years bringing together over 2000 athletes across multiple sports to compete against other Island members. The event was established in 1985 and launched as the ‘Small Islands Mini Olympics’.
Read more about the games on the International Island Games website – https://www.iiga.org/
Swimming is one of the main sports and has featured at every Island games since it’s beginning.
The 2025 Island Games will be taking place in Orkney in July 2025 – Orkney 2025 Island Games.
Seaclose Swimming Club are the guardians of Island Games Swimming by virtue of being the sole surviving member of the Isle of Wight Swim Team and as the hosts and organisers of the Isle of Wight Combined Club Championships, the Isle of Wight Sprints, and the Isle of Wight Championships. We have appointed the following management team for the games, Val Gard (Coach), Gavin Muncaster (Assistant Coach/Assistant Manager), Justin Stewart (Team Manager).
The event is a fantastic opportunity to compete in an international event – but is an intense competition over a long week for the swimmers. To be eligible to compete at the Island Games competitors need to either be born on the respective Island, or be living there for at least 12 months. This is set by the International Island Games association and can be found here.
Over many years to ensure the best event we have developed a set criteria to be considered for the team.
This includes achieving specified times, to be achieved at a registered swim meet. Swimmers also need to been training regularly with a minimum of 8 hours a week swim training. Full details of the criteria to be considered for the team is available here – and the consideration times to be achieved here.
Starting with the upcoming Island Games we are adopting a new approach used by a number of other of the Islands who ask for swimmers who would like to be considered for inclusion in the team and to show commitment to meeting the training criteria. This form can be downloaded here. Please note completing the form does not guarantee inclusion in the training squad or the team – but is required if you wish to be considered. It is important that training is consistent for a prolonged period prior to the games so we ask that anyone wishing to be considered completes this form by the 26th September 2024.
If you have any questions please contact via swimming.coach@iwiga.uk