Games outfits unveiled for Gotland action
Adam Guest
Team Shetland’s brand, spanking new kit certainly got the “seal of approval” when it was launched on Wednesday.
In a rather unusual kit launch four members of the 129-strong squad boarded a salmon boat being made by workers at team sponsor Malakoff.
An engine is yet to be fitted, so there was no maiden voyage, however a couple of seals seemed to be big fans of the athletes’ new attire.
“It’s not long [until the Island Games],” said SIGA chairwoman Karen Woods.
“We’re on the boat two weeks tonight, so heading out, so it’s getting quite exciting now.”
Gotland is the first time Shetland has a gymnastics team competing in the games and Woods said the girls were really excited to be taking part.
“The swimmers have been along a couple of times before so they know the ropes so they are getting quite excited as well.”
Final preparations are taking place and ironing out the final issues.
James Soper
“Island Games participants forced to spend £130 on kit” would be a more accurate headline for this story.
Despite acknowledging the high costs of this year’s Island Games SIGA has made spending £130 for a tracksuit and two t-shirts (all of which bears the Malakoff logo) a compulsory requirement for all those wishing to take part in the Games.
In contrast Jersey have responded to high costs by asking their athletes to reuse their presentation jackets from the last games. And the Isle of Wight’s sponsors have contributed £16,000 to ensure their “brand spanking new kit” is free for their participants.
Malakoff were SIGA’s sole sponsor at the last Games in Jersey so why could that kit not have been reused this year to save money?
And what is the logic behind SIGA asking the SIC for £5000, or £38 per athlete, in last-minute funding when they themselves have forced participants to spend £130 to buy mostly unnecessary new kit?