Swimming: Commonwealth stars lead way

  • Jersey Island Games swim team named
  • Gallichan and Phillips to captain the hosts
  • Jégou hopes for another successful Games

Experienced swimmer Tom Gallichan will captain the Jersey men's team. Picture: DAVID FERGUSON

COMMONWEALTH Games athlete Tom Gallichan and NatWest Island Games debutante Susie Phillips will lead the hosts’ charge for swimming medals at Jersey 2015.

The duo have been named captains of the men’s and women’s squads respectively as Team Jersey’s 17-strong line-up was officially announced by JASA on Wednesday morning.

Also included in the men’s team are Commonwealth Games competitor Ian Black and experienced duo Cameron Donaldson and Giovanni Guarino, all three of whom won medals in Bermuda two years ago.

Garth Jackson will make his second appearance at the biennial event, while Harry Shalamon, Nathan Corrigan, Cameron Swart and Tom Cairns are all set for their debut.

Although the women’s squad will be without Emily Bashforth – Jersey’s top performer at the last Games – joining 17-year-old Walkers Tigers captain Phillips will be Gemma Atherley, Beth Cummings and Beckie Scaife who, along with Bashforth, hold the Games record in the 4x100m freestyle relay.

Danielle Edwards has been selected for her second Games, while Holly Hughes and Lillie Godden – both of whom are still just 14-years-old – and Olivia Pollard will all make their debut.

Beth Cummings, pictured at the JASA Island Championships at the weekend, has been named in Jersey's team Picture: DAVID FERGUSONJersey will be without Emily Bashforth - the Island's top performer in Bermuda - as she has stopped swimming competitively

‘We’ve got several very good experienced swimmers and some very good youngsters making their first appearance.

‘In the girls team, we don’t have an out and out superstar, like we had last time with Emily Bashforth. Beckie, Gemma and Olivia will be the busiest in terms of their schedules and there are plenty of chances to win medals.

‘We’ve got a particularly young base to the girls team. Just two are over the age of 18, which means most of them should be around for years to come.

‘Gio, Cameron, Ian and Tom have a lot of experience in the men’s team and while I expect them to do well, they will also be able to help the juniors around them.’

Head coach Nathan Jégou: 'We'll do our all to swim hard, get lifetime bests and if that means we pick up medals in the process, then that's great.'

On Jersey’s medal chances, Jégou added: ‘Every Games is different and we go in not knowing the quality of the other islands.

‘All we can control is how fast our swimmers are going. In terms of how many medals we’ll get … pass. We’ll do our all to swim hard, get lifetime bests and if that means we pick up medals in the process, then that’s great.

‘It’s nice to be at home, though. All the swimmers know the venue, there will be no surprises and so there’s no excuse for not performing.’

The team is supported by KPMG and will be staying at Les Ormes during the Games.

Men: Tom Gallichan (c), Ian Black, Cameron Donaldson, Giovanni Guarino, Harry Shalamon*, Nathan Corrigan*, Cameron Swart*, Tom Cairns*, Garth Jackson

Women: Susie Phillips (c)*, Gemma Atherley, Danielle Edwards, Beckie Scaife, Beth Cummings, Holly Hughes*, Lillie Godden*, Olivia Pollard*

Manager: Jacqui Hawkshaw. Assistant manager: Andy Godden. Head coach: Nathan Jégou. Assistant coach: Sian Silvester.

*Games debut

– Advertisement –
– Advertisement –