The Island Games are a biennial multi-sports event for island nations, territories, and dependencies.
At each event, participants compete in 12-14 different sports. Badminton is very much an integral part of the Island Games. The badminton competition consists of a mixed team event and individual championships encompassing all 5 badminton categories.
Brief history of badminton at the Island Games
Badminton has been part of every event – except the 2007 games in Rhodes (Greece).
The Isle of Man hosted the inaugural games in 1985. 700 athletes from 15 island territories competed in 7 different sports. Since then, the Island Games has grown in popularity. The games in Guernsey in 2023 saw over 2.000 athletes from 24 territories compete in 14 different sports.
The games has taken places at such wonderful places as Gibraltar, Isle of Wight, Bermuda, Gotland, Shetland, and Jersey. To date, the team from Guernsey has been dominating the podium in both the individual as well as the mixed-team championships.
Badminton competition at the games in 2023
Look at the draw for the Island Games team-event competition in 2023. Personally, I was excited to learn that badminton is being played competitively in places such as the Cayman Islands, the Western Isles, and Bermuda – to name a few.
In many of these locations players have to make do with what’s available. Access to badminton courts, competent coaching and high-level sparring partners are likely limiting and potentially demotivating factors.
Of course, quite a few players benefit from training elsewhere. F.ex. a number of the Faroese and Greenlandic players live and train in Denmark. The Faroe Islands National Badminton team has benefited from coaching by Sune Gravholt (pictured below) – a former professional player and coach from Denmark.
With that in mind, it is no surprise that the North Atlantic island country of the Faroe Islands (Føroyar) won the team-event competition in 2023. They defeated Greenland in the final. Guernsey took the bronze medals following a narrow victory against Isle of Man.
In the individual competion the finalists were as follows:
- Jens Nielsen of Greenland defeated Jordan Trebert of Guernsey in the men’s singles final
- Sara Jacobsen of Greenland defeated Jessica Li of the Isle of Man in the women’s singles final
- Christiansen/Wong of the Faroe Islands defated Navarro/Navarro from Menorca (Spain) in the men’s doubles final
- Li/Claque from the Isle of Man overcame Justinusen/Thorkildshøj of the Faroe Islands in the women’s doubles final
Wong/Thorkildshøj of the Faroe Islands defeated Christiansen/Grotinum of the Faroe Islands in the mixed doubles finale
The next Islands Games competion in 2025
The Island Games will take place from 18-25 July 2025 in Orkney and badminton is once again included.
So where is Orkney? Glad you asked…
Here’s what the official Orkney Island Games website has to say:
Orkney is made up of more than seventy islands. Located in Scotland it offers nearly six hundred miles of coastline. It is a one hour flight from Edinburgh.
The population is around 21,500. It is said that many of the locals descend from the Vikings !
Nestled amidst the wild North Atlantic Ocean, Orkney boasts a rich tapestry of ancient monuments, breathtaking landscapes, and a close-knit community that warmly embraces visitors from all corners of the globe.
Steeped in a mesmerizing history that spans over 5,000 years, Orkney is home to an unparalleled collection of archaeological wonders.
Beyond its historical treasures, Orkney showcases awe-inspiring natural landscapes that leave visitors spellbound.
Despite the challenges of island life, Orkney has cultivated a strong sporting tradition. Our tight-knit community has fostered a love for various athletic endeavours, producing talented individuals who have achieved success on national and international stages.
Orkney’s passion for sports shines through in various disciplines. From football and rugby to cricket and athletics, our island community embraces the spirit of competition.
Local sporting clubs provide a platform for talent to flourish, and the dedication of coaches and volunteers ensures that young athletes have opportunities to develop their skills.
During Orkney Island Games 2025, you’ll find an island community that welcomes you with open arms. Join us as we continue to create a vibrant future, embracing our rich heritage while looking forward to the exciting possibilities that lie ahead
- What is the Island Games for badminton? - January 1, 2025
- The rise and fall of England badminton – men’s singles - December 26, 2024
- The Mysterious Badminton Bird – a story for badminton lovers - December 26, 2024
