Team Isle of Wight arrived in Guernsey on Thursday (July 7) ahead of the start of the Island Games 2023, ready to compete against 23 other islands.

Yesterday (Friday), TeamIOW took part in the opening ceremony along the seafront and at North Beach.

See photo gallery above

The teams arrived at North Beach at around 6.30pm for the ceremonial part of the opening.

Two Island golfers had an important duty, with multi-medal winner Sophie Beardsall carrying the Isle of Wight flag in recognition of her long service and support to the Isle of Wight Island Games Association.

Nat Riddett was TeamIOW’s official water carrier for the water ceremony, where water brought from each island is mixed together, which is the equivalent of the lighting of the Olympic flame.

After some speeches, presentation of the Games flag and the athletes’ oath, the Bailiff declared the Games officially open.

All of TeamIOW’s athletes took part in the procession from North Beach, around St Julian's roundabout and along the seafront to the Albert Pier.