There will be no easing into the tournament for Tony Hoyland’s team as day one has thrown up a clash with gold medallists Aland in group A where only the table toppers are guaranteed a spot in the semi-finals.
An overall runner-up, from the three groups, will clinch the fourth semi-final spot but should Jersey win that place it could mean a repeat match with the 2009 hosts who are favourites to top the group.
The team
Jodie Botterill (26): IT worker. Prolific, fast striker with experience of three Island Games. Has won bronze medal in the past and is coming off the back of a successful season with St John’s, who won four trophies last season.
Did you know? Her great-grandfather played for Celtic and Scotland.
Sporting idol: Kerry ‘Reggie’ Sauvage.
Lara Couvert (20): Studying at University College Birmingham. Winger who played in last Island Games in Aland and is aiming for gold in the Isle of Wight.
Did you know? Lara was a member of this season’s successful Muratti-winning team.
Sporting idols: David Beckham, Ryan Giggs.
Kelly Hughes (23): Account assistant for Newtel. Right-back who played in Rhodes 2007 Island Games. Won the quadruple with St John last season.
Did you know? Kelly is a former ladies player of the year.
Sporting idol: Jamie Carragher.
Candice Parsons (21): Finance worker at HSBC International. Defender who will be attending her first Island Games. Has played for Colchester United academy and is aiming for at least a top three finish in the Isle of Wight.
Did you know? Candice claims that she can shake her eyes.
Sporting idol: Too many to name.
Libby Barnet (18): Studying at University of Bath. Midfielder who played at last Island Games in Aland and was player of the season in 2010.
Did you know? Libby was the first girl to win the Sid Guy Memorial Trophy for her work at the Centre of Excellence.
Sporting idols: Frank Lampard, Kelly Holmes.
Claire Le Quesne (29): History teacher. Defender who played in Rhodes 2007 and has represented Jersey at European Touch Rugby Championship and at inter-insular athletics.
Did you know? Claire fondly remembers the 1997 Island Games in Jersey, when she was tasked with raking the long jump pit.
Sporting idol: Graeme Le Saux (a proud Jerseyman and a professional footballer with a brain!)
Tara Marie (24): Filing clerk for BBC. Central midfielder who will be attending her first Games. Was part of the St John’s quadruple-winning team last season.
Did you know? Was the highest goal scorer at St Clement’s last season, including the men.
Sporting idol: David Beckham.
Louise Van der Vliet (22): Office administrator. Has represented Jersey at Aland and Rhodes Island Games and played for First Tower since 2004.
Did you know? Louise was top scorer for First Tower last season.
Sporting idol: Paul Scholes.
Ashleigh Cummins (17): Studying at Highlands College. Defender who will be attending her first Island Games and is aiming to come home with a medal. Youngest player in the squad.
Did you know? Ashleigh will celebrate her 18th birthday in the Isle of Wight.
Sporting idol: Steven Gerrard.
Jemma Daniel (29): Office administrator. Right-sided winger who has represented Jersey at the Island Games twice – in Guernsey and the Isle of Man. Has two first division title medals and has represented Jersey at Muratti level.
Did you know? Jemma once did 400 keepy-ups.
Sporting idol: David Beckham.
Sam Cavey (28): Human resources officer at BNP Paradis. Midfielder who has represented Jersey at the Guernsey Island Games and is looking to win bronze – at least – in the Isle of Wight.
Did you know? Sam has won the quadruple in Jersey with two different clubs.
Sporting idol: Steven Gerrard.
Fiona MacKinnon (30): IT administrator manager. Centre back who played for Jersey in Rhodes 2007 Island Games. Captained St John’s to quadruple last season.
Did you know? Fiona was a junior champion at lawn bowls.
Sporting idol: Ally McCoist.
Kerry Sauvage (25): Bank clerk. Midfielder who will be playing in her fifth Island Games. Has also represented Jersey at hockey and netball. Having won two bronze medals in ladies football, Kerry is confident that the team can win gold in the Isle of Wight.
Did you know? Kerry claims to be a secret millionaire.
Sporting idol: Jodie Botterill.
Michelle Bichard (26): Accountant and PE teacher. Centre back who played in Rhodes and Aland Island Games. Has also played for Newquay and Plymouth Argyle and represented Jersey in athletics, touch rugby and hockey.
Did you know? Michelle was
once the Jersey girls chess champion.
Sporting idol: Leeds and Manchester United player Alan Smith.
Steph Henwood (24): Accountant at Ernst & Young. Goalkeeper who will be attending her first Island Games. Has also played badminton for England and represented Jersey in athletics, netball and hockey.
Did you know? Steph claims to have been born in Antarctica.
Sporting idol: Peter Schmeichel.
Becky Darts (36): Finance director of Jersey Trust Company. Right-sided midfielder who has represented Jersey in Guernsey and Aland Island Games. Is also captain of the Jersey hockey
team.
Did you know? Becky has played in seven Muratti finals and never lost.
Sporting idol: Sir Steve Redgrave.
Jess Vieira (25): Trust administrator. Left-sided winger who will be attending her first Island Games. She is hoping that Jersey will finish in the top three in the Isle of Wight.
Did you know? Jess has done a 15,000 feet sky dive.
Sporting idol: Venus Williams.
Rosie Monks (24): Illustrator. Midfielder who is confident that Jersey can return from the Isle of Wight with a gold medal.
Did you know? Rosie was born and grew up in Switzerland.
Sporting idol: Snowboarder Anne-Flore Marxer.
SCHEDULE
Sunday 26 June: Jersey v Aland
(Shanklin FC).
Monday 27 June: Jersey v Hitra
(Oakfield FC).
Tuesday 28 June: Jersey v Isle of Wight (Cowes Sports FC).
Wednesday 29 June: Rest day.
Thursday 30 June: Semi-finals/positional play-offs.
Friday 1 July: Medal matches.
