JERSEY’S archers will be aiming for the bull’s-eye in Orkney, as the team are all set for the rapidly approaching Island Games.
Team manager Heath Perrett, alongside Angela Perrett, Francis Rocha and Hannah Bridle, will compete in the compound events, while Tony Vardon, Darren Jones, Freddie Crosby and Mollie Perrett will be taking part in the recurve competition. Lindsay Bridle will also be travelling with the squad, as the assistant team manager.
Lack of experience really isn’t an issue for this team, as all bar one have been to the Games before. Heath and Angela Perrett are testament to this, with this being their seventh Island Games.
Recurve bows are the modern evolution of traditional bows, which have existed for thousands of years. This may be what people are most familiar with, given that this has been the bow used at the Olympic Games since the sport’s reintroduction to the programme in 1972.
Compound archery is a lot newer to the sport, invented in the 1960s as a more mechanically efficient piece of equipment.
Compound was first included on the programme of the World Archery Championships in 1995, and has been included – on equal footing with the recurve bow – in the Hyundai Archery World Cup since its launch in 2006.
It features on the World Games’ programme as well, which is a massive multi-sport event which comprises of sports not included on the Olympic programme.
The Caesareans will certainly be entering the games in good stead, coming off the back of a historic outing in the last Island Games.
Jersey were simply unstoppable at Guernsey 2023, tallying up a total of 11 medals, including an astonishing five golds, to total their best Island Games medal tally ever.
Championing the Compound Head to Head Team Knockouts, Mixed Compound Head to Head Team Knockouts and the Single WA 1440 Compound Team Events to win gold, as well as notching a pair of bronzes in the Mixed Recurve Head to Head Team Knockout and the Single WA 1440 Recurve Team competitions, it’s fair to say that the Islanders work incredibly together.
“Everyone here knows each other incredibly well, making for a really tight-knit team,” said the team manager, Heath Perrett.
“We all get on really well and have a great bond, which has been bolstered by holding plenty of socials throughout the year.”
“Having this really helps in competition, especially with preparations, as everyone knows each other’s routine, which are all different. Some people need some encouragement and support, whereas others just want to be left alone, so it’s good to know.”
Aside from the team events, Jersey shone bright in the individual formats, which saw medals a plenty. The Men’s and Women’s Compound Head To Head Knockout will be bolstered by a pair of individual medallists in Francis Rocha and Angela Perrett, who took home bronze and silver respectively in Guernsey.
Ace Lucy O’Sullivan, who won gold in all of her events during the Guernsey games to bring home an incredible five gold medals, unfortunately won’t be making the trip this year.
However, even though her efforts were momentous, Jersey will be more than capable to make their mark on the range, as all athletes hold extensive experience, competing in a range of high-level shoots across the UK.
Jones is the lone Island Games debutant, who has proved himself with a load of hard work, amounting to “some incredible scores”.
Mollie Perrett will be aiming to go one step further than her impressive Island Games debut in 2023, where she won an individual silver and bronze medal. Recently inducted into the Jersey Sport Performance Sport Programme’s 2025 cohort, the young talent is raring to go.
“It’s amazing to be selected for the Island Games, putting on that Team Jersey shirt is really unlike any other feeling,” said Mollie Perrett.
“I’ve developed a lot since, transitioning from the juniors into the senior competitions, which was pretty seamless as I’ve competed against adults over here for a while. I’m super keen to improve on the last time out, aiming for a personal best.”
“There’s a lot of positivity and support in this group, and it’s always a great experience to go out and compete.”
“I’m really excited and happy to be selected for the Performance Sport Programme, I’m hoping the support will allow me to compete in more international competitions, which will help me reach that next level.”
Her father, the team manager, echoed the honour of representing Jersey, saying: “For me, this is home. It really is an awesome feeling to represent Jersey, and hopefully we’ll get the medals to put the Island on the podium.”
Holding such experience will be a major asset in their pursuit of gold, as Heath Perrett explained the importance of the sport’s mental side: “Archery, I’d say, is 10% physical, 90% mental. You have to block everything out and be in the moment.”
“Competitors will be playing mind games on each other, there’ll be a bit of mental warfare going on. It could be the smallest thing, but it doesn’t take much to take your eye off the ball.”
The Island Games provides an exceptional development opportunity, as the international exposure, competing against different archers from around the world, as well as dealing with different judges and officials, is unlike what most are used to.
Athletes won’t just be focused solely on their event, as team members expressed their intention to support Team Jersey at other events around Orkney.
All in all, everyone is ready to go and put on a show, with Heath Perrett adding: “Training’s gone well, many have competed recently in the UK, so everyone’s fresh.”
“Normans were brilliant during the winter, providing an indoor facility in the form of their wood store, which allowed us to keep training, no matter the conditions.”
“Everyone’s more than ready to do the best they can, and here’s hoping we can get a few medals along the way.”
Jersey’s archery team would like to thank their sponsors Bridle Estates and Laserplane Ltd for their continued support, as well as Normans for providing an indoor facility during the winter months, which proved a great help in the squad’s training.
