If Aland 2009 is anything to go by expect the Jersey team to be hogging the podium as they also look to improve on their silver medal in the team event last time around.
Five of the seven may be teenagers but under-estimate them at your peril. Men’s singles runner-up Craig Gascoyne is hungry for gold after finishing with two silver medals and a bronze two years ago, while multi-medallist Kay Lefebvre also returns.
The team
Craig Gascoyne (28): Jersey Table Tennis Association development officer. Competing in the team event and individual men’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles. Going for gold this time after winning two silvers (team, singles) and one bronze (mixed doubles) last time around. A former gold medallist at the British Universities Championships and a bronze winner, aged 16, at the World School Championships, this will be his second Games as a player.
Did you know? Craig is the only player to have represented three nations in the British Isles: England, Scotland and now Jersey.
Sporting idol: Bruce Lee.
Jakub Wankowicz (29): Assistant manager, The Bar. Making his Games debut with the aim of returning with gold medals. He will be competing in the team event and individual men’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles.
Did you know? As a youngster Jakub finished third in the Junior Polish Table Tennis Championships.
Sporting idol: Lionel Messi.
Max Tupper (17): Victoria College student. Going to his second Games, having helped Jersey win the team silver medal last time around. Contesting the team event again along with the men’s singles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles. Is now the U18 and U21 Island champion and CI junior doubles title holder.
Did you know? Max’s party trick is to blow air out of his eye.
Sporting idol: Tom Marsay and Geoff Reed.
Hugo Tupper (15): Victoria College student. Will play in the team competition plus the men’s singles and doubles. The Isle of Wight will be his first Island Games for the U15 Jersey champion and CI doubles champion.
Did you know? Hugo is following in older brother Max’s footsteps and making his Games debut as a teenager.
Sporting Idol: Rafael Nadal.
Kay Lefebvre (57): Housewife. Hoping to take her medal haul into double figures and clinch the elusive gold in what will be her sixth Games, having won four silvers and five bronze to date. The current Island champion, and Island/CI veterans title holder, she is competing in the team event and women’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles.
Did you know? Kay enjoys walking, gardening and spending time with her friends and family.
Kelsey Le Maistre (15): Le Rocquier student. Hopes to help the team to gold in her first Games where she also challenges in the women’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles. The Island U18 champion and quarter-finalist at this year’s Jeux des Iles in Sicily, one of her biggest wins was the National Four Star Tournament in England.
Did you know? Kelsey has also represented Jersey in football.
Sporting idol: Kelly Sibley.
Vicky Barnes (13): Jersey College for Girls student. The young player with the big smile will be making her debut in this year’s Games with matches in the team event, women’s singles and mixed doubles. Takes experience from this year’s Jeux des Iles in Sicily with her.
Did you know? Vicky has represented the North West of England in ballroom dancing and is a red belt black tag in taekwondo.
Sporting idol? Any athlete at the top of their sport who is passionate but sporting (eg Craig Gascoyne).
SCHEDULE
Venue: Ryde School
Sunday 26 June–Tuesday 28 June:
Team event
Wednesday 29 June: Singles
Thursday 30 June: Doubles
Friday 1 July: Doubles and singles semi-finals and finals
