With less than a year until the Island Games in Orkney, preparations for the Isle of Wight Ladies Football Team are in full swing.

As part of their build-up, the team is getting ready to participate in a new tournament in Jersey, set to kick off on Friday, August 23.

However, the journey to the Island Games is not just about physical training, as the players also need to raise funds for travel expenses.

To support this effort, two of the squad’s youngest members, Mille Tinsley and Jess Green, both 16, teamed up with Premier School Sports Coaching and Binstead Primary School to host a two-day football camp for young players on the Island.

Held at Binstead Primary, the event saw over 30 children from the Ryde area participate.

The school offered its facilities free of charge, as Millie is a former pupil.

The camp was led by qualified coaches from Pier School Sports Coaching, alongside Millie and Jess, with the dual purpose of promoting the upcoming Island Games in Orkney in 2025 and raising funds for the team.

The success of the camp has sparked interest from parents, with many calling for similar events in the future, with Millie and Jess already planning to run another camp during the October half-term.

Additional fundraising events are planned as the IW Ladies Football Team continues their quest to become Island Games medallists.