Shetland wins international sports accolade

SHETLAND’S impeccable sports facilities have received their highest accolade yet with the islands being appointed European Community of Sport in 2013.

The award was only created last year when it was handed to the Isle of Man, who in turn nominated Shetland after their positive experience during the 2005 Island Games.

Communities of less than 50,000 people are eligible for a title, which has previously only incorporated European cities and towns.

This year’s European City of Sport is Istanbul, which is passing the label on to Antwerp in 2013, according to SIC sport and leisure executive manager Neil Watt.

A team of inspectors from the European Capitals and Cities of Sport Federation toured the island’s sporting facilities during the week.

On Wednesday the federation’s president Gian Francesco Luppatelli declared: “The inspection team has seen that sport, recreation and health are very much valued and promoted by the council and the recreational trust to ensure a healthy vibrant community exists in Shetland.

“There truly is sport for all in Shetland, whether it is play, active recreation, or assisting with elite athletes through the local athletics support programme.”

A delighted recreation trust chairman Joe Irvine called it “a tremendous recognition of the work being done to support sport at all levels in the community”.

SIC convener Malcolm Bell chimed in, saying how proud he was. “Well done to all those in the community who provide – and participate in – sporting life in Shetland.”

Watt is particularly pleased that the award had come about without any effort on Shetland’s part to win it.

“The Isle of Man nominated us because after the Island Games they are aware of the quality of the sports facilities here, and during 2013 we shall have to think about who we would want to nominate for the next year,” he said.

The question now is how to take advantage of the branding this gives Shetland, marking it out as a great place for athletes of all kinds to live.

The council and the trust are open to suggestions and anyone who comes up with an idea can contact mail@srt.org.uk and pass it on.

Watt himself believes the label could assist Shetland when it comes to gaining more grant funding for anything sports related.

“This comes at a very good time for us following the Olympic Games in 2012, with the Island Games in Bermuda in 2013 and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014, as well as the Ryder Cup. There’s lots of sporty things happening.”

The European Community of Sport award will formally be presented at a special ceremony in Brussels on 7 November.

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