Sport in the Isle of Man

For a small country, sport in the Isle of Man plays an important part in making the island known to the wider world. The principal international sporting event held on the island is the annual Isle of Man TT motorcycling event. However, the Isle of Man is represented internationally in a number of other sports at the Commonwealth Games and the Island Games.

International Sport

The Isle of Man shall host the IV Commonwealth Youth Games in 2011. The Island started the Island Games in 1985 and hosted them once again in 2001. The most notable international event held on the Isle of Man are the Isle of Man TT motorcycle races held annually in June.

Cricket

The Isle of Man Cricket Association broke their affiliation with the Lancashire Cricket Board in 2004 to become affiliate members of the International Cricket Council and compete as a national team in their own right. The Isle of Man cricket team competed in their first official ICC competitions in 2005.

Cycling

The Manx Trophy cycling event is held annually. The Isle of Man boasts a very strong showing in the world of cycling with several high profile names and many talented up and coming young riders.

Manxman Mark Cavendish is the reigning 2008 UCI Track Cycling World Champion for the Madison having won the event on 29 March 2008 in Manchester along with race partner Bradley Wiggins. He previously won the event at the Los Angeles World Championships in 2005. In 2006 he won a Gold medal in the Scratch race on the track at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. He currently rides for Team Columbia, as one of the most promising talents in British cycling, with four stage wins in the 2008 Tour de France. He also competed in the Madison at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Rugby Union

There are a number of rugby union clubs within the Island that contest the domestic competitions the Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield and the Dorchester Maritime Manx Cup. Reigning Shield Champions are Ramsey Rugby Club with the Manx Cup yet to be decided. Other clubs include Castletown Rugby Club, Douglas Rugby Club, Southern Nomads Rugby Club and Vagabonds Rugby Club.

Both Douglas Rugby Club and Vagabonds Rugby Club have teams participating in the English Leagues and they will be joined next season by Ramsey Rugby Club.

Motorcycle racing

The Isle of Man is famous for its TT motorbike racing event, which began in 1904 as a motorcar race. TT stands for "Tourist Trophy". From 1905, the TT was held as a closed roads motorcycle racing event and the original course was extended in the 1920s to use the current Snaefell Mountain Course. This is now a series of annual motorcycle road races over 37.73 miles held from late May to early June.

The 4.25 mile Billown Course near Castletown has been the scene of further events such as the Southern 100 in May, June and July since 1955.

Further racing takes place on the TT course each August-September in the form of the Manx Grand Prix. The idea of motor cycle racing for amateurs and private entrants on the famous TT course gave rise to the birth of the MGP back in 1921.

Linked to all this motor cycle racing are the Supporters Clubs, Riders Assns and the [http://www.iomttma.com/ TT Marshals Association] and the [http://www.iommgp.com/marshals/ MGP Marshals Association] as, without marshals, no racing would be possible.

Rallying

The Isle of Man hosts a number of Rallying events including the Rally Isle of Man (formerly the Manx International Rally or Manx Trophy Rally) a round of the British Open Rally Championship. Also the Manx Rally (formerly the Manx National Rally) a round of the British National Rally Championship.

Football

Football is also popular, with the Isle of Man Football Association running a football league of 27 clubs in two divisions, as well as a football combination for the reserve teams of the league clubs. There is also a national football team, although it does not participate in UEFA or FIFA tournaments.

Gymnastics

The Isle of Man hosts very successful Men's and Women's gymnastics teams, which consist of gymnasts solely from [http://www.manxgymnastics.co.uk Manx Gymnastics] . Recent accomplishments include 2001, 2003 and 2005 Island Games, the latest of which the gymnastics team came away with 29 medals, including 15 golds out of the total of 34 that the Isle of Man team [http://www.islandgames.net/content/members/iom.html] won. Manx Gymnastics sent a number of gymnasts to the 2004 Commonwealth Youth Games in Melbourne, and plan to send more to the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Hockey

There are many Manx hockey teams, with mixed, men's and ladies' leagues. The mixed league runs from September to December with the men's and ladies' leagues running from January to April. Each club has a nominated home pitch which is one of the National Sports Centres regional astro turf pitches. Bacchas, Vikings & Harlequins Hockey Clubs all play at the NSC in Douglas, [http://www.valkyrshockeyclub.com/ Valkyrs Hockey Club] play at the QEII High School in Peel, Castletown, Phoenix & Saracens Hockey Clubs play at Castle Rushen High School and [http://www.ramseyhc.com/ Ramsey Hockey Club] play at Ramsey Grammar School.

The Isle of Man is also home to the annual [http://www.gov.im/tourism/activities/events/hockey.xml/ Whit Hockey Festival] . Held over the last weekend in May, the tournament welcomes many sides from around the UK to play mixed, men's and ladies hockey at all levels of ability. Acting on behalf of the Isle of Man Government, the entire event is covered by professional photographer, [http://www.johncoxon.com/ John Coxon] .

hooting

Target Shooting has a long and successful tradition, with 2008 seeing the Centenary of the Isle of Man Rifle Association. It is conducted to high standards in the Island with one of the highlights being the annual [http://www.isleofmanshooting.com/easter/ Easter Open Shooting Festival] , which is a GBR selection event in 50 Metre Rifle. Ranges and clubs exist for rifle, pistol and shotgun disciplines and the various elements come together under the umbrella organisation, the [http://www.isleofmanshooting.com/iomtsf/ Isle of Man Target Shooting Federation] . Shooting has won more medals for the Isle of Man at the Commonwealth Games than any other sport.

Other Sports

Basketball is also played in the Isle of Man.
Chess Monarch Assurance International Chess tournament is held in Port Erin every September-October.
Go The board game visits the island biennially.

Athletics

Athletics is also well supported on the Isle of Man. One of the highlights of the race calendar is the Easter Athletics Festival, a great social and athletic weekend, now in its 46th year.Manx harriers is the main athletics club on the Island, and it is successful in the UK when teams of athletes go to compete.(2008).

Cammag

The sport of cammag originated on the Isle of Man. It is similar to the Scottish game of shinty, and Irish hurling. Once the most popular sport on the Island, it ceased to be played by the start of the 20th century. It has more recently been revived with an annual match at St. John's.

Taekwondo

Taekwondo is a martial art sport that is growing in popularity. The Isle of Man Taekwondo Association [http://www.iomtkd.com link title] was admitted as an associate member of the World Taekwondo Federation in 2006 and the Isle of Man can compete as a country in WTF competitions.

ee also

*Sport in the United Kingdom

External links

* [http://www.manxbasketball.com/ Isle of Man Basketball Association] Website of the Isle of Man Basketball Association
* [http://www.iomguide.com/races/tt/tt-maps.php IOMGuide.com] - TT aerial view
* [http://www.iomtt.com IOMTT.com] - racing and message board discussions
* [http://www.manxhockey.com/ Manx Hockey Association] .