Team 'ready to make Isle of Man proud' at games

Athletes from the Isle of Man are ready to make their home nation proud at the 2025 Island Games in Orkney, the team manager has said.

The Scottish islands will welcome about 2,000 participants from 24 nations around the world to compete in 12 sports between 12 and 18 July.

The Manx team of 153 athletes is set to feature in 11 of the disciplines, making it the third largest contingent behind the hosts and the Shetland Islands.

Manager Gary Jakeman said there were "high hopes" for what was a "very strong team".

"We're excited, prepared, and ready to make the Isle of Man proud," he added.

The multi-sport event is held every two years and is seen as a springboard for athletes to gain valuable experience for larger games.

At the last games, held in Guernsey in 2023, the Manx team of almost 200 competitors earned a total of 63 medals, including 20 gold and 16 silver.

The tally saw the island finish third in the overall standings, with the host nation topping he table ahead of fellow Channel Island Jersey in second.

Isle of Man team secretary Jill Gillings said: "For many people it's the pinnacle of their sporting careers. They've worked hard for many years and it means so much.

"It's a real motivator and a really good stepping stone for people on our island, like cyclist Sir Mark Cavendish, he won in Jersey in 2003 and went on to great, great things.

"We're so lucky we can offer this type of international experience to our sports people, its invaluable."

At Saturday's opening ceremony and athletes' parade in Kirkwall, set to be compered by Lorraine Kelly, swimmer Laura Kinley will carry the Manx flag at what will be her seventh appearance at an Island Games.

Meanwhile, the team's youngest athlete, gymnast Phoebe Christian, will take on the role of water carrier on what will be her 13th birthday.

The the water ceremony, which signifies the importance it plays in island life, traditionally sees water brought from each nation mixed together in a sculpture designed by the home nation.

About 600 competitors from 15 islands took part in the first games on the Isle of Man in 1985 in what was initially intended to be a one-off.

But its success created an appetite for more inter-island competition and the Island Games have continued ever since.

The Faroe Islands will be next to host the competition in 2027, with the Isle of Man set to welcome competitors in 2029.

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