WOMEN’S TEAM

THE ladies’ volleyball team have suffered their fair share of injury setbacks this season.

The women's team

But as devastating as it has been for them to lose players to serious injuries it will serve only as motivation for those going, to win matches for those who could not be there.

One of those injured was Anita Othman who had been preparing for her fifth Games before suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear which has put her out of the game for six to eight months.

Now women’s team manager, she has had to forfeit her place at the Games as she is on crutches and will not be mobile enough to make the trip following surgery in Sweden a few weeks ago.

She said: ‘I am gutted to be injured but I hope the ladies will go to the play offs and win it, because they deserve it.’

Coach Peter Cadiou (45): Consultant. Aiming to help the ladies’ team to a medal play off position as per Shetland 2005 when they reached the bronze decider. Going to his fifth Games. Career highlights include taking the Island squad to the Weymouth invitational and winning, plus being the first local winners in the Jersey Open for over 20 years and clinching the A and B inter-insular honours for the first time in over 20 years.

The team
Anita Othman (42): Trust and company officer. Ladies’ team manager. Represented Jersey for nine years including at four Island Games. Finished fourth in Shetland 2005 and Rhodes 2007 where she participated in the beach version of the game.
Did you know? Anita represented Sweden in badminton from the age of 16 to 20.
Sporting idols: Ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and tennis great Bjorn Borg.

Paula Hindley (43): Graphic designer. Jersey setter/opposite. Part of the team that finished fourth in Shetland and going to her fifth Games. Member of Jacksons Jets ladies’ volleyball team who finished second in the league this year. Has represented the Island on numerous occasions at inter-insular level against Guernsey. Hopes to play the best volleyball she has ever played.
Did you know? Paula may be the shortest player in the team but she says she thinks big!
Sporting Idols: Swimmer Michael Phelps and rower Steve Redgrave.

Nicki Appleton (42): Private banker’s assistant. Jersey setter. Going to her 11th Island Games and hoping to come home with a medal this time. Has been an Island player for an impressive 21 years. She has captained the side on many occasions – the most memorable being when Jersey beat Guernsey in the inter-insular for the first time in 20 years.
Did you know? Nicki has completed the Dublin, London and Jersey (three times) marathons.
Sporting idols: Lance Armstrong and Daley Thompson.

Dominika Izdebska (30): Crewing officer for Equiom Yachting. Jersey middle hitter/opposite hitter. Jacksons Jets and Island Ladies player who featured in the winning inter-insular side and the team who reached the Jersey Open final this year. Making her Island Games debut and hoping to qualify for the finals.
Did you know? Dominika used to be a sports editor and reporter at her local television station and also worked in local radio for nearly five years.
Sporting idol: Polish volleyball player Katarzyna Skowronska-Dolata.

Wendy Burnett (48): Trust company director. Jersey middle hitter. An Island basketball player for 15 years, captain for seven, who went to Gotland 1999 and the Isle of Man 2001 then Aland for volleyball in 2009. Also plays softball and has won the league title for two years running.
Did you know? Wendy’s ancestor sculpted Nelson’s statue on top of Nelson’s column. She also admits to having freaky toes.
Sporting idols: David Beckham and Bjorn Borg.

Sally Hall (32): IP specialist at CPA Global. Jersey middle hitter. Going to her fourth Games and was on the team that finished fourth six years’ ago. Hopes to learn from the experience of playing other high quality teams, enjoy the event and have fun.
Did you know? Sally’s employers CPA Global are sponsoring her for the event.

Karolina Zablocka (27): Sales assistant. Jersey middle hitter. Going to her first Games where she hopes to do the best she can, gain a lot from the experience and win, win, win.

Katarzyna Whiteside (35): Customer assistant at Marks and Spencer. Jersey outside hitter. Has won the league title two years in a row and going to her second Games. Hopes to play some good volleyball and share her enthusiasm and passion for the sport with the team as only the best things can happen from it.
Did you know? Katarzyna once won a competition for the most beautiful smile.
Sporting idol: Wanda Rutkiewicz.

Ann Cadiou (42): Mother to two children. Jersey outside hitter/libero. This will be Games number seven and hopes to play for a medal position as per Shetland 2005.
Did you know? Ann says that her real name is Pinky Plonky. She also claims to play the keyboard and only the Island Games stopped her from entering X Factor as she didn’t have the time. She is also a very keen gardener.
Sporting idol: Daley Thompson.

Ellen Parker (41): Human resources worker. Jersey libero. Going to her sixth Games having represented the Island in Gotland 1999, the Isle of Man 2001, Guernsey 2003, Shetland 2005 and Rhodes 2007.
Did you know? Ellen was part of the team who reached the bronze medal play-off in Shetland.

Laura Morel (30): Manager at Nautilus Trust Company. Jersey middle hitter. Going to her first Games and hopes to learn from the more experienced teams and develop as a player. A former Island netballer, she represented Jersey from the age of 13 to 27 before switching to volleyball.
Did you know? Laura can walk on stilts.
Sporting idol: England netballer Pamela Cookey – even my husband is a fan!

Ania Ryszawy (31): Sales assistant for Mappin and Webb Jewellers. Jersey off-setter but also plays middle/opposite hitter. Part of the league winning 2e2 Tigers team and the successful inter-insular team. Won the ladies’ league’s most valuable player award in 2009/2010 and the player of the tournament trophy in this year’s Jersey Open. Going to her second Games.
Did you know? Ania used to work as a PE teacher in Poland and is a trained instructor in volleyball and swimming.
Sporting idol: Netherlands player Debby Stam-Pilon.

SCHEDULE
Venues: Fairway Sports Complex, Sandown High School and Rew Valley Sports Centre, Ventnor.
Sunday 26 June: Jersey v Aland
Monday 27 June: Jersey v Saaremaa
Tuesday 28 June: Jersey v Cayman Islands
Wednesday 29 June-Friday 1 July: play-off positions.

MEN’S TEAM

THERE is no such thing as an easy draw for Jersey when it comes to men’s volleyball at this year’s NatWest Island Games.

The men's team

Faced with hosts the Isle of Wight in their opening game, next comes a meeting with bronze medallists two years’ ago, Greenland, followed by runners-up Aland and seventh placed, the Cayman Islands.

Jersey finished sixth last time around and hope to make it to the semi-finals this year. They thrive on the big occasion and it doesn’t get much bigger than this.

Jersey team
Alan Caser (37): Team coach/player. Works as a sales and products manager. Going to his second Games after Aland 2009 where the team finished sixth. Hoping Jersey play with passion and to a good level so they get the recognition they deserve.
Did you know? Alan is Italian and also plays tennis and basketball.
Sporting idols: Roger Federer/Valentino Rossi.

Paul Adamson (44): Team manager/Utility. Houze Construction site manager. Going to his seventh Games. Was part of Jersey men’s team that finished sixth in Aland in 2009 and in Gotland 1999.
Did you know? Paul played in the first ever beach volleyball Island Games match against Bermuda.

David Davies (41): Setter. IT manager. Been involved with the Games since Jersey 1997, mainly with windsurfing in which they have won team and individual medals. Played waterpolo for Jersey.
Did you know? David can hold his breath for over four and a half minutes.
Sporting idol: Our Italian coach Alan, or when he is not around Martin Johnson, England rugby manager.

Bero Bobus (32): Outside hitter. Assistant vice president, Deutsche Bank Jersey. Going to his third Games, second for Jersey, and won a gold medal in the beach volleyball in Rhodes 2007 representing the Cayman Islands.
Did you know? Bero once beat Tiger Woods in golf (on Nintendo Wii).
Sporting idol: Ayrton Senna.

Matthew Morel (32): Middle blocker/hitter. Head of marketing at Hawksford International. Making his fourth Island Games appearance after Shetland 2005, Rhodes 2007 and Aland 2009. Captained Airtel-Vodafone Sandkickers to their first men’s league title and CI title.
Did you know? Matthew is a qualified diving instructor.
Sporting idol: Jenson Button because of his ‘can-do’ attitude as seen in winning the 2011 Canadian GP. If we adopt the same philosophy, listen to our coach and each other we can succeed in the IOW.

Leandro Figueira (26): Outside hitter. Driver and valet at Freelance Motors. Four-player and libero in the Portuguese Championship and won the second division. Goalkeeper for St Martin. Making his Games debut and hoping to help Jersey to a medal.
Sporting idols: Vitor Baia/volleyball star Giba.

Stuart Black (25): Middle hitter/blocker. Accounts preparer at RBC. Going to second Games having featured in swimming in Shetland 2005 where he won bronze in the 1,500m freestyle. Has won every volleyball inter-insular he’s played in.
Did you know? Stuart claims to be Jersey’s best cuddler and also once swam in a final at the Scottish Nationals.
Sporting idols: Kirk Broadfoot/Michael Phelps.

Paul Gartshore (40): Libero/opposite setter. Has been to every Games since the Isle of Man 2001. Was in the beach volleyball for the first time in Games history in Rhodes 2007. Has won the Jersey twos tournament with various playing partners.
Did you know? Paul really loves playing beach volleyball and thinks it is one of the best sports in the world.
Sporting idol: Lee Ingram.

Other team members: Daniel Grigoras and Mick Toal.

Venues: Fairway Sports Complex, Sandown High School. Rew Valley Sports Centre, Ventnor.

THE SCHEDULE
Group A: Saaremaa, Gotland, Faroe Islands, Guernsey, Bermuda.
Group B: Aland, Greenland, Jersey, Cayman Islands, Isle of Wight.

Sunday 26 June: Jersey v Isle of Wight (Fairway).
Monday 27 June: Jersey v Greenland (Rew Valley).
Tuesday 28 June: Jersey v Aland (Fairway).
Wednesday 29 June: Jersey v Cayman Islands.
Thursday 30 June-Friday 1 July: Play-offs for position.

Meet the team (from left, back): Paul Adamson, Bero Bobus, Daniel Grigoras, Alan Caser, Mick Toal and Matt Morel. Front: Dave Davies, Leandro Figueira, Stuart Black and Paul Gartshore Picture: DAVID FERGUSON (01235923)