Isle of Man sport. Manx Sport and Leisure on the Isle of Man

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Isle of Man Sport Internationally, the Isle of Man will host the IV Commonwealth Youth Games in 2011. The Island started the Island Games in 1985 and hosted them once again in 2001 Rugby There are a number of Rugby Union clubs that participate in the English rugby scene, such as Douglas R.U.F.C.; Castletown R.U.F.C.; Southern Nomads R.U.F.C.; and Vagabonds R.U.F.C.. It would be possible to enter an Isle of Man Sevens rugby team in the Commonwealth Games. Cammag Cammag is similar to the Scottish game of shinty, and Irish hurling. It used to be the most widespread sport on the Isle of Man, but it ceased to be played after the introduction of football, until very recently when it has been somewhat revived. It involves a stick (cammag) and a ball (crick) with anything between four and hundreds of players. Sometimes whole towns and villages took part, or even played each other. The cammag can be any stick with a bent end, and the crick can be made from cork or wood. Old accounts tell us that it was occasionally covered in a rag to make it less painful to hit. Cammag season started on Hunt the Wren Day (26th December) and was only played by men (of all ages) during the winter. Realistically, it ceased to be played around 1900. However, in modern times, an annual match of cammag is played in St. John's (Balley Keill Eoin). As there are no rules to cammag, a trip to the local inn is advised to ease any feelings of cowardice beforehand!

Chess Monarch Assurance international chess tournament is held in Port Erin every September-October. 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. Cycling Mark Cavendish won the Madison, Track cycling, event at the Los Angeles World Championships in 2005, and won the Commonwealth Games, Gold Medal, in the 2006, 80 lap Scratch race on the track in Melbourne. He currently rides for small German team Team Sparkasse, as one of the most promising talents in British cycling. 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 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 [1] won. Manx Gymnastics sent a number of gymnasts to the 2004 Junior Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, and plan to send more to the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Hockey There are many Manx hockey teams, with mixed, mens' and ladies' leagues. See Manx hockey website. Motorcycle racing The Isle of Man is famous for its Motorbike racing event, The Isle of Man TT, which began in 1904 as a motorcar race. From 1907, the TT was held as a closed roads motorcycle racing event and the original course was extended in the 1920s. This is now a series of annual motorcycle road races over 37.25 miles held from late May to early June. TT stands for Tourist Trophy. Excellent aerial view maps and full details of all racing can be seen at IOMGuide.com and message board discussions run all year at IOMTT.com 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, of course, the TT Marshals Association and the MGP Marshals Association as, without marshals, no racing would be possible. Other Sports Basketball is also played in the Isle of Man. The website of the Isle of Man Basketball Association is http://www.isleofmanbasketball.com. 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 it's 44th year (2006).