The search for Island Games organising committee begins

How do you successfully deliver a seven-day international sporting extravaganza involving 13 sports and 2,000 athletes?

Well, the team tasked with answering that question could be in place by the new year, as preparations get underway in the recruitment of people to the Orkney 2023 Island Games organising committee.

A skilled and experienced committee of ten “high-calibre” people is being sought to plan and deliver a successful Games in five years time.

Athletes from across the globe — from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean, the North Atlantic to the Caribbean — will make their way here for the first Orkney Island Games, set to be held in July 2023.

It will, without question, be a momentous occasion and one of the most high-profile events ever to be held here in the county.

Gordon Deans and Beccy May, who are heading up the recruitment, are confident that the skills and knowledge can be found in Orkney to build a robust organising committee.

Mr Deans said: “Orkney has showcased a number of big events in the last few years, and this is another great opportunity for the people of Orkney to get behind what will be a fantastic Games.

“It is four-and-a-half years away. It sounds like a long time, but my experience of these things is that it catches up on you very quickly and there’s a lot of work to do between now and then.”

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, in addition to good team-working are vital attributes. However, notably, an interest in sport is not essential.

The voluntary services of personnel with experience in event planning, fundraising and sponsorship, business and project management, procurement, marketing and PR, communication and strategic planning, are also being sought.

Mr Deans added: “We’re looking for people with the skills, but they really need that long-term commitment and time to devote to this.”

Recruitment information and an online application can be found at www.oiga.org.uk/organising-committee-recruitment-statement/

For further information, and any queries, email info@oiga.org.uk.

The deadline for applications is Saturday, September 29.