JERSEY are sending their biggest ever athletics team to challenge in the NatWest Island Games, with 31 making the trip to Rhodes this summer.
Athletics team manager Sandra Winnie said they are sending a good mix of athletes: ‘Some will be going for the experience of the competition,’ she explained, ‘Others are hoping for medal chances.’ Island Games regulars, and medallists, Claire Lidster, Paul Derrien and Peter Irving all feature in the team alongside Commonwealth Games athletes Lauren Thérin and Simon Phelan.
Also looking to add to their medal tally will be Michelle Ryan, Russell Price and recently married Jo Gorrod (née McGarry), who have all picked up individual medals in either Guernsey in 2003 or Shetland in 2005.
While there are a number of junior athletes who will be looking to step up to the challenge, including 15-year-olds Gemma Dawkins and Amy Dingle.
Those going to their second games include Becky Slater at 16 who finished fifth in the javelin in 2005 and Jason Fox, 18, who came fourth in the high jump in Shetland - multiple national schools throws champion Jamie Stevenson also goes to his second.
Winnie, who is looking forward to experiencing the Games as team manager after leading the team in 2005 but falling ill on the first day, explained the selection process.
‘The entry standards were published towards the end of last year and any athlete who was interested in selection completed an entry form.
The standards are in comparison to previous years and anyone who reached the target was chosen to go.
‘With the season just starting it is difficult to comment on the form of the team but their winter training has gone very well,’ she added.
As the athletics programme has not yet been finalised it is unconfirmed as to which events the athletes will compete in, however, the location of the events is well established.
The half marathon will start from an ancient stadium in Rhodes, while the track and field events will be contested at a newly constructed facility which, Winnie explained, may not suit everyone: ‘It can be really good or really horrible because some athletes prefer a hard track and some a soft one but everyone will be competing on the same conditions.
‘It will be the biggest competition that some have competed in so they may be over-awed or they may revel in it.
But we’ve got some really exciting athletes and I’m sure they’re all going to do well - hopefully all the competitors will get to the final rounds in their events.’ The team, sponsored by Paul and Pam Bell, is as follows: Amanda Brown, Jenny Browne, Gemma Dawkins, Amy Dingle, Jo Gorrod, Carol Knight, Hazel Le Cornu, Steph Le Cornu, Claire Lidster, Jenna Murphy, Michelle Ryan, Katie Silva, Becky Slater, Lauren Thérin, Sophie Twinam, Courtney Williams, Tom Brown, Paul Derrien, Toby Edwards, David Felton, Jason Fox, Nick Gorrod, Paul Holley, Peter Irving, Andy Murfin, William Perchard, Simon Phelan, Russell Price, Stephen Prosser, Ben Silva, Jamie Stevenson.
Andrew Winnie, head coach; Karen Dingle and Karen Le Mottée, team assistants.
Article posted on 12th May, 2007 - 12.00am
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