Without regular medallists Chris Cotillard and Kim Ashton the door has opened up for new players and striding through for their first Games experience will be Cara Dunford, Dimple McDonald, Jon Southern and Rob Cottignies.
Team manager and player Gavin Carter brings a wealth of experience into the side as he prepares for his sixth Games while overseeing the team as coach is the talented former National champion Mark Constable. Kim Jespersen is assistant team manager
The team
Lindsey Woodward (39): Head teacher at Helvetia House School. Island first team and county player. Competing in the singles and doubles. Going to her third Games after winning team silver in Aland 1991 and ladies’ doubles bronze in Aland 1991 and 2009.
Did you know? Lindsey completed this year’s London Marathon.
Sporting idol: Roger Federer.
Dimple MacDonald (32): Accountant, CQS. Making her Games debut and will play in the doubles. Aims for the Games are to remain positive, fight for every point and support her team-mates.
Did you know? Dimple completed her first marathon two years ago and she is double jointed so can bend her thumb to touch her wrist.
Sporting idol: Roger Federer, who she has met and admires for his skill and respect he shows opponents, even in defeat.
Cara Dunford (31): HR business partner, Royal Bank of Canada. Goes in the singles and doubles. Winner of the Jersey Open and Closed mixed doubles but only going to her first Games after missing out with an injury six weeks before the last one. Hopes to have fun and come back with a medal.
Did you know? Cara has boogie-boarded down rapids in New Zealand.
Sporting idol: Number one badminton player Chong Wei Lee.
Katherine Thornton (20): Student. Goes in the singles and ladies’ doubles in her second Games with the aim of winning points and having fun. Plays badminton for Jersey and the University of Exeter.
Did you know? Katherine likes to eat chocolate Hobnobs
Sporting idol: Jane Tomlinson.
Jade Coombs-Goodfellow (19): Student at the University of Brighton. Competing in the singles and doubles events. Holds titles in singles and doubles from the Jersey Junior Open. Made her debut two years ago in Aland where the team finished fourth and hopes to get as far as possible this time and have fun.
Did you know? Jade is double-jointed in her hips.
Sporting idol: Jack Wilshere.
Gavin Carter (36): Signtech employee. Team manager, captain and player. Going in the singles and doubles. A Great Britain croquet player, the Isle of Wight will be his sixth Games and he hopes to add another medal to his collection having won two team golds and one team silver.
Did you know? Gavin loves triangles.
Sporting idol: Nick Faldo.
Jamie Smith (32): Huelin Renouf airfreight employee. Last played in the Gotland 1999 Games. Hoping to do his best and come home with a medal as a competitor in the singles and doubles.
Did you know? Jamie won team gold plus men’s singles bronze at his last Games.
Sporting idol: Boris Becker.
Jon Southern (28): Pension administrator. Going to his first Games and will feature in the singles and doubles. He is also a skilled footballer and won two under-21 Muratti caps.
Did you know? Jon enjoys reading Shakespeare.
Sporting idol: Eric Cantona.
Rob Cottignies (27): Architectural technician. Playing in the singles and mixed doubles. Making his Games debut and hoping to enjoy participating and to play the best singles he can. Represented Victoria College at tennis, golf and squash.
Did you know? Rob is a huge Arnold Schwarzenegger fan.
Sporting idol: Andre Agassi.
Alex Hutchings (20): University of Bath student. Competing in his second Games, after Aland 2009, and going in the singles and doubles. Hoping to improve on second round in the singles last time to reach the quarter-finals this year. A former top 15 nationally at under-17 level.
Did you know? Alex admits to enjoying playing football more than badminton.
Sporting idol: Lewis Hamilton.
SCHEDULE
Venue: Ryde High School Sports Hall
Sunday 26 June – Monday 27 June: Team event.
Tuesday 28 June: Men’s singles and women’s doubles.
Wednesday 29 June: Women’s singles and men’s doubles.
Thursday 30 June: Mixed doubles.
Friday 1 July: Medal play-offs.
