THIRTEEN young athletes travel to compete in the ESAA Sainsbury’s English Schools’ Track and Field Championships this week, the largest group ever sent from the Channel Islands.

Ten Jersey youngsters, and three from Guernsey, will be mixing it with the best young athletes from across the country in track and field events at Gateshead Stadium.

‘It’s the largest team we’ve taken, usually its four to six who compete in this competition,’ coach Andrew Winnie said.

‘All the youngsters who take part have to achieve a qualifying standard, so just qualifying is quite an achievement for our athletes.’ He added that most of the CI group are in the younger year of their respective age-groups.

‘The exception is Jamie Stevenson, who’s at the top of his.

‘Jason Fox should also do well, and Jenna Murphy, I’d expect them to get a podium place – the top six go on the podium – and that would be tremendous.

And if the younger ones get to their finals, that will also be a huge achievement.’ Winnie explained that the population of the respective counties dictates the size of the team permitted to attend the meet.

‘Every county from across the country will be sending teams to compete, so places like Essex can take a team of 95 because they have the population to support that.

The little Channel Islands are only allowed 25!’ The competition takes place on Friday and Saturday.

Team: Boys: Zane Duquemin (Jnr, discus); Jamie Stevenson (Int, shot); David Felton (Snr, discus); Jason Fox (Snr, high jump); Stephen Prosser (Snr, 100m); Michael Batiste (Gsy) (Inter, 400m hurdles).

Girls: Lucy Crossman (Jnr, HJ); Jenna Murphy (Jnr, HJ); Amy Dingle (Jnr, long jump); Becky Slater (Inter, javelin); Kathryn Rothwell (Jnr, shot); Kimberly Gleeson (Gsy)(Inter, LJ); Erica Bodman (Gsy)(Snr, HJ).