Pune Games Squad Announced
Submitted on: Oct 31, 2007
With the Isle of Man already making plans for their own Youth games in 2011 it is essential that our young sportsmen and women are represented in Pune when the Games will be held there in 2008. With this in mind we have already started to prepare our athletes.
Thirteen young sports people from five different sports have been accepted on a new Support Programme to assist the potential competitors towards the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune, India next October. They are:
Athletics
Gemma Astin, Danielle Ross, Michael Haslett, Rachael Franklin and David Munro.
Badminton
Nick Ardern and Josh Green
Boxing
Daniel Roberts
Shooting
Danielle Letch and Daniel Shacklock
Swimming
Kate Belich, Heather Millar, Olivia Rawlinson and Grant Halsall
Jill Gillings, Team Manager for Pune said, “It’s really exciting to be involved with a new venture such as this. Due to funding from the Sports Council and a private sponsor, the Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association and the Institute of Sport have got together to provide a programme to help these potential team members to prepare as best they can towards selection next summer and then, if selected, for peak performance in Pune.”
The athletes will gain support over the year in areas such as Medical, Physiotherapy, Nutrition, Psychology, Strength and Conditioning training and Career Planning. This will all be done through the services of the Performance Co-ordinator at the IOM Institute of Sport, Chris Quine.
Selection for the Pune Commonwealth Youth Games Support Programme was not solely based on the athlete’s current level or ability, the athlete’s personal commitment to their sport was also a big consideration. Following an interview and recommendation procedure conducted by the IOM Institute of Sport and the Commonwealth Games Association, the thirtenn athletes have been invited to be part of the programme.
It is emphasised to all of the athletes that selection for this programme does not mean selection for the Pune Commonwealth Youth Games, held 12th -18th October 2008. Equally, for those not accepted at that stage, and indeed any others who may emerge over the coming months, they would not be precluded from selection and names can always be added to the programme at a later date.
A programme launch was held on Tuesday 30th October at the Hydro Hotel. The selected athletes, their parents and coaches attended. Dr Vaughan and Isla Scott introduced themselves and the programme was discussed. With the introductions undergone, best wishes are sent to all those athletes in their preparations over the next year.
