Faced with hosts the Isle of Wight in their opening game, next comes a meeting with bronze medallists two years’ ago, Greenland, followed by runners-up Aland and seventh placed, the Cayman Islands.
Jersey finished sixth last time around and hope to make it to the semi-finals this year. They thrive on the big occasion and it doesn’t get much bigger than this.
Jersey team
Alan Caser (37): Team coach/player. Works as a sales and products manager. Going to his second Games after Aland 2009 where the team finished sixth. Hoping Jersey play with passion and to a good level so they get the recognition they deserve.
Did you know? Alan is Italian and also plays tennis and basketball.
Sporting idols: Roger Federer/Valentino Rossi.
Paul Adamson (44): Team manager/Utility. Houze Construction site manager. Going to his seventh Games. Was part of Jersey men’s team that finished sixth in Aland in 2009 and in Gotland 1999.
Did you know? Paul played in the first ever beach volleyball Island Games match against Bermuda.
David Davies (41): Setter. IT manager. Been involved with the Games since Jersey 1997, mainly with windsurfing in which they have won team and individual medals. Played waterpolo for Jersey.
Did you know? David can hold his breath for over four and a half minutes.
Sporting idol: Our Italian coach Alan, or when he is not around Martin Johnson, England rugby manager.
Bero Bobus (32): Outside hitter. Assistant vice president, Deutsche Bank Jersey. Going to his third Games, second for Jersey, and won a gold medal in the beach volleyball in Rhodes 2007 representing the Cayman Islands.
Did you know? Bero once beat Tiger Woods in golf (on Nintendo Wii).
Sporting idol: Ayrton Senna.
Matthew Morel (32): Middle blocker/hitter. Head of marketing at Hawksford International. Making his fourth Island Games appearance after Shetland 2005, Rhodes 2007 and Aland 2009. Captained Airtel-Vodafone Sandkickers to their first men’s league title and CI title.
Did you know? Matthew is a qualified diving instructor.
Sporting idol: Jenson Button because of his ‘can-do’ attitude as seen in winning the 2011 Canadian GP. If we adopt the same philosophy, listen to our coach and each other we can succeed in the IOW.
Leandro Figueira (26): Outside hitter. Driver and valet at Freelance Motors. Four-player and libero in the Portuguese Championship and won the second division. Goalkeeper for St Martin. Making his Games debut and hoping to help Jersey to a medal.
Sporting idols: Vitor Baia/volleyball star Giba.
Stuart Black (25): Middle hitter/blocker. Accounts preparer at RBC. Going to second Games having featured in swimming in Shetland 2005 where he won bronze in the 1,500m freestyle. Has won every volleyball inter-insular he’s played in.
Did you know? Stuart claims to be Jersey’s best cuddler and also once swam in a final at the Scottish Nationals.
Sporting idols: Kirk Broadfoot/Michael Phelps.
Paul Gartshore (40): Libero/opposite setter. Has been to every Games since the Isle of Man 2001. Was in the beach volleyball for the first time in Games history in Rhodes 2007. Has won the Jersey twos tournament with various playing partners.
Did you know? Paul really loves playing beach volleyball and thinks it is one of the best sports in the world.
Sporting idol: Lee Ingram.
Other team members: Daniel Grigoras and Mick Toal.
Venues: Fairway Sports Complex, Sandown High School. Rew Valley Sports Centre, Ventnor.
THE SCHEDULE
Group A: Saaremaa, Gotland, Faroe Islands, Guernsey, Bermuda.
Group B: Aland, Greenland, Jersey, Cayman Islands, Isle of Wight.
Sunday 26 June: Jersey v Isle of Wight (Fairway).
Monday 27 June: Jersey v Greenland (Rew Valley).
Tuesday 28 June: Jersey v Aland (Fairway).
Wednesday 29 June: Jersey v Cayman Islands.
Thursday 30 June-Friday 1 July: Play-offs for position.
