Visit of the Commonwealth Games Federation to the Isle of Man 30th October 2009
Submitted on: Jan 13, 2010
The Organising Committee of the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games were delighted to welcome members of the Commonwealth Games Federation to the island at the end of October 2009. Mr Mike Fennell (President) accompanied by his wife Mrs Peggy Fennell, Mr Mike Hooper (Chief Executive) and Mr John Eades (Operations Director) visited the island primarily to meet with members of the Organising Committee for an update report on preparations for the 2011 Games and also to present a workshop to the committee and Sport Co-ordinators on the newly drafted Commonwealth Youth Games Manual.
During their visit the CGF members were keen to meet and engage with children from local primary schools who are involved in the CYG2011 ‘Adopt-a-Nation’ education programme. Children from School Vallajeelt, who ‘adopted’ Nigeria and won the Adopt-a-Nation Primary School DVD Competition, children from Cronk-y-Berry, who ‘adopted’ New Zealand to meet Mike Hooper who hails from the country and children from Manor Park, who ‘adopted’ Jamaica, to meet Jamaican born Mike Fennell. Although it was half-term for the island’s school children, a large number turned out with their parents to listen to Mike Fennell talk about the importance of the Commonwealth Youth Games. Thanks were extended to Head Teacher Adrian Shorthouse for opening School Vallajeelt especially for the event and to Minister of Education Mrs Ann Craine MHK and Minister of Tourism and Leisure Mr Martyn Quayle MHK for attending.
Mr Fennell, Mr Hooper and Mr Eades also had an opportunity to meet with sponsors of the CYG2011 when they joined the Organising Committee and DTL Minister for lunch during the CYG Manual workshop, held at the Isle of Man Sports Institute.
Mr Mike Fennell with children from School Vallajeelt, Manor Park and Cronk-y-Berry.
Hon M Quayle, Mike Dee (Manx Telecom), Mike Fennell (CGF), Ruth Robinson (Boston Group), Wendy Shimmin (Britannia International), Mike Hooper (CGF), Peter Gallagher (Tower Insurance), Emma Boardman (Friends Provident International), Andrew Booth (Barclays Wealth).
