In what has been a fantastic year for sport in the UK, culminating in the 2012 London Olympic Games, sports organisers in the Isle of Man have been recognised for their efforts in delivering a hugely successful 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games. 
 
At the Commonwealth Sports Minister’s Conference chaired by Hugh Robertson, UK Minister for Sport and the Olympics, Louise Martin CBE, Honorary Secretary of the Commonwealth Games Federation said: ‘The fourth Commonwealth Youth Games were held in September 2011 in the Isle of Man.  These Games were a tremendous success. More than 800 young athletes from 63 nations and territories competed across seven sports and 112 disciplines. More than 1300 Manx men and women volunteered to help put on the Games, and the entire Island laid out a huge welcome.’
 
Mr Robertson continued: ‘For months afterwards, the CGF’s Facebook and Twitter pages were filled with very kind messages from athletes and officials and families. The Isle of Man provided an excellent model for future hosts and set a high standard for Samoa, which will host the games in 2015. I would like to convey once again our great thanks to all those in the Isle of Man government, and to the Manx people on behalf of the Commonwealth Games Federation, for being such fantastic hosts.’
 
The 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games not only built friendships and raised the profile of the Isle of Man on the international sporting stage; it has also left a lasting legacy that continues to thrive. The centrepiece of that legacy is the refurbished Bowl Stadium, which continues to receive record use and provides a grand platform for the development of Manx football. It’s not just the Island’s footballing community that are enjoying the state of the art facility. It is used for school PE lessons, rugby training sessions and the Sports Development Unit use the Bowl for their all day schemes. It is also available for private hire by calling the National Sports Centre on 688593.