It’s hard to believe that on Saturday 7th September it will be the second anniversary of the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games. The Games were possibly the most prestigious event ever to be awarded to the Isle of Man with participation from 64 nations of the Commonwealth.  It was always the intention of the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure that the legacy of the Games remained at the forefront of sport in the Island and this has proved to be the case.
 
Hon Graham Cregeen MHK, Minister for Community Culture and Leisure said: ‘CYG2011 saw the whole Island come together and put on a fantastic event that showcased the Manx hospitality to our Commonwealth friends.  We provided a platform and offered an opportunity for people of all ages to be part of an outstanding celebration of sport.  It is testament to the success of the Games that a lasting legacy lives on.’
 
Whether organising, competing, umpiring, sponsoring or volunteering, the Games sparked the imagination of the nation who came together and put on an event which continues to be remembered fondly by many of the Island’s community and referred to by the Commonwealth Games Association as one of the best.
 
Many young Manx athletes who took part in CYG2011 are hoping to be nominated for competition at the Commonwealth Games 2014 in Glasgow.  Swimmers, Grant Halsall, Charlotte Atkinson and Laura Kinley have all attained the necessary qualifying standards for Glasgow 2014. They are all strong contenders for a place in the Island team heading for Glasgow next year.  There are also high hopes of attaining qualifying standards for many of our young gymnasts who competed so well at the NatWest Island Games in Bermuda earlier this year.  From the field of athletics, athletes are working towards a place on the team with Raegan Dee a contender for nomination in the high jump.  General Team Manager, Trevor Taubman, is confident the enthusiasm and commitment of the Island’s athletes will see a team in Glasgow more than capable of returning with medals.
 
Several of the Island’s sporting venues benefitted as a result of CYG2011.  The NSC saw the installation of a new synthetic track, improvement to field event facilities, upgrading of the 500 seat grandstand and a new changing room complex.  These continue to be fully utilised, not only for sport but also for charity events.  New lane ropes and starting blocks were purchased for the competition swimming pool at the NSC.  Both gymnastics venues were extended to provide much needed additional seating.  New equipment was also purchased by both venues, which continues to benefit up and coming gymnasts. 
 
Perhaps the most notable sporting venue to be upgraded as a result of the Games is the Isle of Man National Stadium, The Bowl.  The venue, which hosted the Rugby 7’s event, received a complete refurbishment providing a 3,000 capacity all-seat floodlit stadium with a state of the art synthetic grass pitch.  Now the home ground of St Mary’s Football Club, the Bowl continues to be heavily used by the Island’s football community, schools and private hires.
 
Possibly the biggest legacy from the CYG2011 is the continuing support of volunteers across the Island.  Around 1000 volunteers were recruited to help with the Games and played the single most vital contribution towards the success of the event.  Co-ordinated by the Department of Community Culture and Leisure, over five hundred volunteers remain on the database and have provided support to several charity events over the past two years.