On Saturday 8th May 2010, approximately 1,200 children will take part in the HSBC Manx Youth Games.
But how many know that the idea for one of the Island's most successful sporting events was originally conceived by two young members of staff at the National Sports Centre?
A decade later, Paul Bridson and Gianni Epifani are still working at the NSC, where Paul is now sports development manager and Gianni sports development officer.
"While several counties across the British Isles had such games in different formats there was then nothing on the Isle of Man so we set about creating our own recipe for the Island, using some of the best ideas from youth games in Merseyside and Northern Ireland," recalls Gianni.
"One of the main reasons we set up the Games was to get more children on the Island into sport and help them develop through clubs and competitions," he adds.
"Sport for many of them becomes a lifetime involvement and sees them making new friends and possibly, as adults, their future partners. It instils strength of character along with skills which can translate into other areas of life."
The HSBC Manx Youth Games are now in their ninth year and on May 8 both Gianni and Paul will be on duty when children between the ages of eight and 14 from schools the length and breadth of the Island will take part in a spectacular parade as they march into the Bowl Football Stadium at the start of this year’s event.
"While the Games do produce successful athletes who go on to national and international success they also provide opportunities for children who may never have got involved in sport to ‘have a go’ and enjoy not only junior sports but healthy and active lifestyles as they become adults," says Paul.
"Ten years ago many of the sports didn’t have an infra-structure but today more of them have junior leagues and competitions backed up by adult volunteers and coaches and the Games this year will see around 300 volunteers involved."
Planning for the HSBC Manx Youth Games started in September, involving five regions and 12 different sports, while demand for facilities is now out-stripping supply.
"The success of the Games has created a problem in finding space to do all the activities," says Paul
"We hopefully create an environment where children can enjoy sport and the HSBC Manx Youth Games offer them a positive and enjoyable experience where they can have fun and meet up with friends."
Manx Youth Games have been sponsored by HSBC since their inception and will again be sponsored by the Bank in 2011, the tenth anniversary year.
