The 10th HSBC Manx Youth Games was officially launched by the Minister for Community Culture and Leisure, Hon David Cretney, MHK on Monday evening, 17th January 2011 at the Douglas branch of HSBC Bank. Making the opening address, Minister Cretney said “I am delighted to formally announce the beginning of this wonderful event, which is without doubt one of the highlights of the Manx Calendar. This year sees the event celebrate its 10th anniversary, with every year kindly sponsored and supported by HSBC, since its inception in 2002. To mark such a milestone, this year’s HSBC Manx Youth Games will for the first time involve a Closing Ceremony; in addition to the extremely popular Opening Ceremony that has become such a popular attraction of the previous 9 years. I can assure you, it will be a spectacular occasion, and one not to be missed – which will live long in the memory of all those that participate in it.” The HSBC Manx Youth Games training sessions will commence from the beginning of February and run up until the day of the event, which will be Saturday 21st May 2011. Training sessions will take place, and be facilitated by qualified coaches in all regions of the Island for children between the ages of 8 – 15 years of age, with 11 sports involved in this year’s event. Local children from Fairfield Primary School were present at the launch, and were modelling the new HSBC Manx Youth Games 10th Anniversary T-shirt. All those who participate in the event will receive one of these prior to the start of the Closing Ceremony. Kevin Cartledge, Manager, HSBC Bank said, “On behalf of the Bank, we are delighted to once again be involved with supporting this wonderful event. I am in awe of the outstanding commitment and dedication of all the sports co-ordinators, coaches and volunteers who are involved in making this such a worthwhile initiative. It is a privilege for HSBC to be able to assist with the funding of the Youth Games, and help with the community development on the Island.” The DCCL, Sports Development Unit will be visiting all schools on the Island over the next two weeks to promote the 10th HSBC Manx Youth Games. All children will be shown a promotional video of last year’s event, and receive a training booklet which contains all the details of the training sessions and further information about the initiative. -Ends-