Youth Commonwealth Games Team depart for Isle of Man The Isle of Man 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games is set to open in a weeks time and will play host to 14 to 18 year old athletes from all over the world, including New Zealand. Isle of Mans capital city, Douglas, will be hosting over 1000 athletes from around 69 nations at this stage when the Games take place from 7 September to 13 September this year. Sports will include swimming, athletics, boxing, gymnastics, cycling, badminton and rugby 7s. New Zealand will be sending over athletes to compete in gymnastics, boxing, athletics and swimming. A strong New Zealand contingency will be going over with around 44 people travelling to the Commonwealth Youth Games that include athletes, coaches and technical staff. Chef de Mission, Peter Wardell has said that the Commonwealth Youth Games are a significant part of the path for these aspiring young athletes. Its a really important stepping stone. These athletes get to learn what its like at these levels. Its all about athlete development. It gives them a taste of what its like to go to these big events. Wardell said, and hopefully it will give them a taste of the bright lights so they can see if they want to have a crack at it. Most of the athletes will be hoping to reach the podium while over there. We have got someone from each of the disciplines who we expect to get on the podium, Wardell said. Everybody wants to make the Olympics. We expect to see a few of these athletes to make the cross over. Recent promising results from New Zealand athletes at Oceanic Championships are encouraging going in to the Games. One of these young athletes is swimmer, Sophia Batchelor, who recently won gold at the Oceania Championships for the 200m backstroke. Wardell says though all they can ask from these New Zealand athletes is that they do their best while theyre over there and they will really be looking for personal bests. The team will be departing from Auckland Airport on the September 3 and will meet in Manchester before heading to Douglas. The team depart 3pm on Saturday 3rd September and arrive back home 12.45pm on 15th September.
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