Bermuda’s sporting facilities have earned “rave reviews” from delegates who visited the Island last week ahead of next summer’s NatWest Island Games.Close to 50 officials from 23 member islands, including chairman of the International Island Games Association Jorgen Petterson, inspected various sporting sites and other facilities during a whistle stop tour of Bermuda.Jon Beard, chairman of the Bermuda Island Games Association, said the delegates were particularly impressed by the National Sports Centre, Port Royal Golf Course and the hospitality of the Bermudian people.“The visits to the relevant venues and accommodations were an eye-opener to many and reminded many of us on the Bermuda contingent of how fortunate we are with facilities and volunteer expertise. The National Sports Centre and Port Royal Golf Course garnered particularly rave reviews,” said Beard.“Along with these physical attributes the famous Bermudian friendliness was obvious to all as we travelled the island. The bus and cab drivers who couldn’t do enough to help the group, government ministers and officials, sports officials, attaches, hospitality workers and the general public all ensured that these delegates from 23 islands had a tremendous Bermuda experience.“They all left with a renewed desire to ensure that as many of their fellow islanders as possible are inspired to enjoy all we have to offer. We are looking forward to a great Games in July, 2013.”Locations such as Bermuda College, Warwick Camp, Spanish Point Boat Club and BFA Field will cater to 16 sports; athletics, badminton, basketball, cycling, football, golf, gymnastics, sailing, sailboarding, target shooting, squash, swimming, tennis, triathlon, indoor volleyball and beach volleyball.Bermuda Government will be a major sponsor of the Games, set for July 13-19 next year and involving approximately 1,800 athletes, including more than 200 from Bermuda.The Island first appeared in the Games in 2003 in Guernsey and have sent over 700 athletes and won more than 100 medals in the five biennial Games they have competed in.The International Island Games were founded in the Isle of Man in 1985 and today include 24 member islands in, or associated with, the nine sovereign nations of Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Great Britain and the Caribbean.