But as devastating as it has been for them to lose players to serious injuries it will serve only as motivation for those going, to win matches for those who could not be there.
One of those injured was Anita Othman who had been preparing for her fifth Games before suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear which has put her out of the game for six to eight months.
Now women’s team manager, she has had to forfeit her place at the Games as she is on crutches and will not be mobile enough to make the trip following surgery in Sweden a few weeks ago.
She said: ‘I am gutted to be injured but I hope the ladies will go to the play offs and win it, because they deserve it.’
Coach Peter Cadiou (45): Consultant. Aiming to help the ladies’ team to a medal play off position as per Shetland 2005 when they reached the bronze decider. Going to his fifth Games. Career highlights include taking the Island squad to the Weymouth invitational and winning, plus being the first local winners in the Jersey Open for over 20 years and clinching the A and B inter-insular honours for the first time in over 20 years.
The team
Anita Othman (42): Trust and company officer. Ladies’ team manager. Represented Jersey for nine years including at four Island Games. Finished fourth in Shetland 2005 and Rhodes 2007 where she participated in the beach version of the game.
Did you know? Anita represented Sweden in badminton from the age of 16 to 20.
Sporting idols: Ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and tennis great Bjorn Borg.
Paula Hindley (43): Graphic designer. Jersey setter/opposite. Part of the team that finished fourth in Shetland and going to her fifth Games. Member of Jacksons Jets ladies’ volleyball team who finished second in the league this year. Has represented the Island on numerous occasions at inter-insular level against Guernsey. Hopes to play the best volleyball she has ever played.
Did you know? Paula may be the shortest player in the team but she says she thinks big!
Sporting Idols: Swimmer Michael Phelps and rower Steve Redgrave.
Nicki Appleton (42): Private banker’s assistant. Jersey setter. Going to her 11th Island Games and hoping to come home with a medal this time. Has been an Island player for an impressive 21 years. She has captained the side on many occasions – the most memorable being when Jersey beat Guernsey in the inter-insular for the first time in 20 years.
Did you know? Nicki has completed the Dublin, London and Jersey (three times) marathons.
Sporting idols: Lance Armstrong and Daley Thompson.
Dominika Izdebska (30): Crewing officer for Equiom Yachting. Jersey middle hitter/opposite hitter. Jacksons Jets and Island Ladies player who featured in the winning inter-insular side and the team who reached the Jersey Open final this year. Making her Island Games debut and hoping to qualify for the finals.
Did you know? Dominika used to be a sports editor and reporter at her local television station and also worked in local radio for nearly five years.
Sporting idol: Polish volleyball player Katarzyna Skowronska-Dolata.
Wendy Burnett (48): Trust company director. Jersey middle hitter. An Island basketball player for 15 years, captain for seven, who went to Gotland 1999 and the Isle of Man 2001 then Aland for volleyball in 2009. Also plays softball and has won the league title for two years running.
Did you know? Wendy’s ancestor sculpted Nelson’s statue on top of Nelson’s column. She also admits to having freaky toes.
Sporting idols: David Beckham and Bjorn Borg.
Sally Hall (32): IP specialist at CPA Global. Jersey middle hitter. Going to her fourth Games and was on the team that finished fourth six years’ ago. Hopes to learn from the experience of playing other high quality teams, enjoy the event and have fun.
Did you know? Sally’s employers CPA Global are sponsoring her for the event.
Karolina Zablocka (27): Sales assistant. Jersey middle hitter. Going to her first Games where she hopes to do the best she can, gain a lot from the experience and win, win, win.
Katarzyna Whiteside (35): Customer assistant at Marks and Spencer. Jersey outside hitter. Has won the league title two years in a row and going to her second Games. Hopes to play some good volleyball and share her enthusiasm and passion for the sport with the team as only the best things can happen from it.
Did you know? Katarzyna once won a competition for the most beautiful smile.
Sporting idol: Wanda Rutkiewicz.
Ann Cadiou (42): Mother to two children. Jersey outside hitter/libero. This will be Games number seven and hopes to play for a medal position as per Shetland 2005.
Did you know? Ann says that her real name is Pinky Plonky. She also claims to play the keyboard and only the Island Games stopped her from entering X Factor as she didn’t have the time. She is also a very keen gardener.
Sporting idol: Daley Thompson.
Ellen Parker (41): Human resources worker. Jersey libero. Going to her sixth Games having represented the Island in Gotland 1999, the Isle of Man 2001, Guernsey 2003, Shetland 2005 and Rhodes 2007.
Did you know? Ellen was part of the team who reached the bronze medal play-off in Shetland.
Laura Morel (30): Manager at Nautilus Trust Company. Jersey middle hitter. Going to her first Games and hopes to learn from the more experienced teams and develop as a player. A former Island netballer, she represented Jersey from the age of 13 to 27 before switching to volleyball.
Did you know? Laura can walk on stilts.
Sporting idol: England netballer Pamela Cookey – even my husband is a fan!
Ania Ryszawy (31): Sales assistant for Mappin and Webb Jewellers. Jersey off-setter but also plays middle/opposite hitter. Part of the league winning 2e2 Tigers team and the successful inter-insular team. Won the ladies’ league’s most valuable player award in 2009/2010 and the player of the tournament trophy in this year’s Jersey Open. Going to her second Games.
Did you know? Ania used to work as a PE teacher in Poland and is a trained instructor in volleyball and swimming.
Sporting idol: Netherlands player Debby Stam-Pilon.
SCHEDULE
Venues: Fairway Sports Complex, Sandown High School and Rew Valley Sports Centre, Ventnor.
Sunday 26 June: Jersey v Aland
Monday 27 June: Jersey v Saaremaa
Tuesday 28 June: Jersey v Cayman Islands
Wednesday 29 June-Friday 1 July: play-off positions.
