THE Investec Jersey Ladies Island hockey squad, like their male counterparts, are in tournament action in Guernsey this weekend.

The ladies are pitted against Guernsey, the Isle of Man and Clifton in the Islands Hockey Tournament and it promises to be a tough opener.

With several of last season’s 1st XI players absent coach Helen Wiseman has turned to youth to bolster the side and is delighted that Jersey have the chance to compete in a tournament of this quality.

The squad will once again be captained by Janet Hall and she will be joined by Nina Woods, Becky Darts, Chrissie Hefford, Emma Anderson, Becky Slater, Kerry Warwick, Jenna Mitchell, Katie Ridley, Zoe Smart, Jamey Herbert, Barbara Littler and Louise Hotton.

Meanwhile back in Jersey the clubs will be preparing for the new season with a weekend of friendlies ahead of the new Investec League season which begins a week on Sunday.

Investec Ladies open their Division II campaign in the men’s league on Friday, 16 September against OV Vets.

Ladies Veterans warm-up for their inter insular against Guernsey on 15 October with a fixture against RWB next Wednesday in the newly-formed ‘Zimmer’ league.

In November it’s back to Guernsey for the CI Club Championships, so with the pre-Christmas fixtures interspersed with visiting sides it is certainly a busy few months for ladies hockey in prospect.