Philosophy


Island Games was founded in 2006, with the intent of introducing a new level of
competition in Track & Field between athletes from across the Caribbean and the United States of America. In so doing these games will not only foster international goodwill add another important event to the American sports calendar, but will also help to promote nationald evelopmenbt y providing through sportsa n outlet for the vast amount of athletic talent that resides in these various countries.

 

The games are staged annually, with athletes competing for individual prizes as well as national recognition, with the victorious country winning the coveted Championship of the Americas Trophy, a symbolo f national supremacya mongj unior athletes from competing countries.

 


Fundraising

A major featureo f the gamesi s the financial assistancep rovidedt o participating teams that is under written by the organizers through sponsorships and fundraising. The games are projected to cost upwards of US$300,000. annually with Airfares, Housing, Food and local Transportation among the most significant cost items. Housing and Accommodationis provided for athletes at The Games Village which is created on the campus of Hofstra University. The Village serves the additional objective of providing a framework for promoting social and cultural exchanges among athletes and countries.

 


Review

The inaugural staging of the games took place on June 10, 2006 at Mitchel Athletic
Complex in Uniondale Long Island. Over 200 athletes from 4 countries lead by Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Cayman and the United States of America participated with Jamaica emerging victorious.

 

The 2007 staging saw a signifrcant expansion among participating athletes and countries. Over 600 athletes from 7 countries took part. Teams from Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Cayman, Bahamas, Bermuda, and St. Lucia took part, along with the United States contingent which came from as far away as Georgia, North Carolina and Maryland and New York.


Jamaica'sC onsulG eneratlo New York, Ambassador Dr Basil Bryan was patron of the games in 2006. Mayor Wayne Hall Sr. from the Incorporated Village of Hempstead joined him as Co-Sponsor in 2007. Public attendance increased from approximately 1000 in 2006 to over 2500 in 2007. With a more aggressive marketing program planned for 2008 a minimum audience turnout of 5000 is expected for 2008 a nd beyond.