A TEAM of Isle of Wight badminton players are just days away from heading to the Island Games 2023 in Guernsey.
The inter-Island competition will run from July 8-14.
Team Isle of Wight has a host of sports men and women representing us, and we are introducing you to them ahead of the big competition.
The badminton team said they were excited, ahead of the Games, confident they might grab a few medals along the way.
The team going to Guernsey are:
- Men — Chris Massey, Matthew and Jacob Honnor, David Anderson and James Phillips.
- Ladies — Isabelle Honnor, Lucy Baggott, Jess Gilbert, Emily Clow and Emily Boynton.
The badminton team is managed by Richard Gray, who have a new kit sponsored by Sandrock Supplies, who also covered the cost of one of their training sessions each week at the West Wight Sports and Community Centre.
Pictured above are front, from left: Jacob Honnor, Isabelle Honnor, Emily Boynton and Jess Gilbert. Back: Lucy Baggott, Richard Gray, James Phillips, David Anderson, Yoann Belon (coach) and Emily Clow.
Preparations for the Island Games may not have been ideal, with a couple of the team based on the mainland, but Richard is pleased with the effort and progress being made in the run-up to the Games.
There is plenty of past Island Games experience in the team.
Team captain, David Anderson, the most experienced player in the team, will be appearing in his fifth Island Games, with his first in the Isle of Man in 2001.
Chris Massey, playing and practising hard in Thailand in preparation for the Games, is also appearing in his fifth Games — his first being in Aland in 2009 — who could be their greatest hope of medal success.
Matthew Honnor, with four Island Games under his belt, will be teaming up with his brother, Jacob — also with hopes of a medal in the doubles.
Lucy Baggott, who went unbeaten all season in the County Championships, and Jacob, will both be making their third appearance in the Games.
Jacob will partner his sister, Isabelle — the number one lady in the singles, set to make her second Games appearance — in the mixed doubles.
Lucy will also team up with Matthew in the mixed and partner Emily Boynton in the ladies' doubles. Emily will be in her third Games.
The rest are appearing in their first Island Games.
"They have been training hard and I’ve told them to go enjoy the whole experience. We are confident we can pull off a win," said Richard, who has a wealth of Island Games experience to pass on to his team.
"My Island Games background started in 1991 in Aland, followed by participating in seven other Games — winning a bronze medal in the team event in 1993 on the Isle of Wight," he explained.
"I picked up the player-manager's role in 2001 for the isle of Man, then again in 2015, 2017 and 2019.
"What’s so great about the Island Games is that it gives you the opportunity to represent
your island at a sport you love and enjoy, at an international event, where you wouldn’t
normally get that opportunity.
"You make many friends, who all come from an island background, who we have lots in common with. And if you’re lucky, you get to see them every two years.
"There’s always such a friendly atmosphere."
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