His replacement is former Channel Islands under 16, under 18 and senior county player Matt Harris , one of the team reserves, who was asked to fill the vacated slot only last night by team manager Madeleine Lee.Lee said that 19-year-old Roberts, who won a team silver medal in the last Games, had notified her by text message in the early hours of the morning that he had picked up an injury after a friendly game of football.’He saw his own doctor and, on the doctor’s advice, has withdrawn from the team.
I was concerned that, at this late stage, apart from anything else it would be very difficult to find a replacement who would be able to get the time off work.
But it’s all sorted out and I’m now dealing with Matt’s accreditation.
I gather that the injury Gareth picked up was a recurring one and it wouldn’t have been a good idea to continue to play with it.’Harris is a qualified development coach, and works as an events, membership and marketing manager at Les Ormes.
He was educated at St Michael’s School and King’s College, Taunton, and at university in Chester where he gained a degree in sports science and a masters degree in exercise and nutrition’This is my first Island Games and I’m really excited to be going and pleased to get the chance to play, though I’m sorry for Gareth having to drop out.
The only problem is that with my inclusion in the team coming so late, although I’ve been training with the seniors I haven’t had a great deal of practice, so I hope to have a few hits over the next couple of days.’
