THE Isle of Man was awarded the title of European Community of Sport for 2012 in a recent ceremony at the EU Parliament building in Brussels.
The accolade is in recognition of the island’s commitment to sporting participation at all levels and was presented at the European Capital of Sport Association (ACES) EU Gala Awards ceremony.
Since its creation by the European Parliament in 2001, each year the ACES selects a European capital of sport and a number of cities and towns of sport for recognition.
This is the first time that the new category of European Community of Sport has been presented, enabling small communities like the Isle of Man to be recognised alongside some of Europe’s great sporting cities. The top accolade of European Capital of Sport 2012 was presented to Istanbul.
Tim Crookall, Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure, who attended the ceremony, commented: ‘Being the recipients of the first Community of Sport Award is a very great honour bestowed upon the Isle of Man by sporting professionals from across Europe.
‘The judges were very impressed not only by our sporting facilities but by the way in which Manx Sport and Recreation has used innovative approaches and partnerships working to achieve levels of activity amongst our young people that are the envy of other European countries.’
The award was first announced in June when representatives of the ACES committee visited the island, including ACES European president Gian Francesco Lupattelli from Italy who praises the island’s dedication to sporting participation.
‘It is with great satisfaction that I am able to inform you that the Isle of Man has been awarded the first European Community Sports Award for 2012. The award is in recognition of the way that sport is promoted, supported and resourced in your beautiful island.
‘It was evident to the awarding committee that sport plays an enormous part in the everyday life of your citizens whether it’s taking part for health and fitness, training to be an elite athlete through your Institute of Sport or competing in a huge range of sports as an individual or team.
‘The Isle of Man provides pathways and the opportunities for people to do this and these opportunities are for people of all ages, for all levels including people with a disability.’