AN experienced Jersey athletics team has been chosen for the Jeux des Iles campaign.
The 11-strong squad will make their way to the track in the town of Vieux-Habitants, where a sheltered stadium will be a welcome sight this year.
Jenna Murphy and Ross Jeffs return for their third year of Jeux des Iles events (a world-wide islands youth games) with Murphy (16) taking her silver medal winning experience at last year’s Island Games in Rhodes on to the track as she looks to secure an elusive high jump bronze medal having finished fourth on the last two occasions.
She is joined by fellow Island Games medallist Gemma Dawkins (4 x 400m relay gold) who, having competed in Sicily in 2006 makes a welcome return along with Stephen de la Haye and Emma Wilton, while Lucy Crossman and Nicola Milner enter for the second successive year.
Lisa Luce makes her third Jeux des Iles appearance although this is her first in athletics having been a key member of the gymnastics squad in previous years while Zane Duquemin, Felicity Johnson-Deeley and Kathryn Rothwell make their debuts.
Also travelling are husband and wife coaching duo Sandra and Andrew Winnie who are looking forward to taking their biggest team.
‘I’m hopeful we can sneak a medal or two but it’s going to be pretty strong competition out there with the likes of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica all competing,’ said Andrew.
‘It’s a fantastic learning experience coming up against some of the best athletes in the world but I’m sure the team will come through it quite well – the timing has certainly helped us, we only lost three people to exams this year so the squad is pretty strong.’
Jenna Murphy – hoping for a Jeux des Iles medal to go with her Island Games silver
