Guernsey are aiming to put on a show at this weekend’s netball Inter-Insulars.
Matches take place across the age groups at Beau Sejour, culminating in the headline senior game at 13:45 on Sunday.
It is the first time since Covid disrupted the schedule that Guernsey has hosted the tournament and they are keen to close the gap on Jersey.
Last year only the U19s tasted success, and with the benefit of their debut regional campaign this season they will be looking for a repeat.
That side also supplies a fresh injection into the A squad, which faces a huge task against a Jersey side that competes in England and beat them 74-27 in last year’s Inters and 79-28 in their last clash at the Inter Island Games.
Guernsey Head Coach Sally Carns has now been in post for just over a year and is looking for her senior side to close the gap.
“I want to see the girls going out there and giving me their best performance that they've given me yet. We've spoken about teamwork and the support side of things. Without sounding completely cliched, they [the crowd] are our eighth woman, having that home support can push you to get that extra 1%,” she said.
This season has seen a focus on answering the question: “What is the Guernsey way?”
“We've worked very hard on some of our structures and attack and making sure that we are still having that flair and that vibrancy that is associated with Guernsey netball, but also making sure that we nail the basics, that we do our fundamentals really well, our movement, our throwing, our catching, that our ball into our shooters is clean, that we give them opportunities, and then in defence hustling hard.”
Jersey are confident, but still know they have to perform on the day.
“We're not underestimating the fact that we are away from home. And they're obviously, a side that are gunning to get as many home wins as possible this weekend,” said Jersey Head Coach Serena Guthrie.
There were pros and cons to the home and away aspect, she said.
‘It will be Guernsey feeling that pressure rather than us. You’re able to stay in your bubble that little but easier when you travel away. There’s lots of things you can lean into to protect ourselves around what I expect to be quite a loud and energetic crowd.”
TImetable
Saturday 9 March
09:00 Guernsey Exhibition match for Future Panthers
10:00 U11s
11:00 U14s
12:15 U12s
13:30 U19s
Sunday 10 March
09:15 U16s
10:45 Open B
12:15 O30s
13:45 Open A
Guernsey Squads
Guernsey U11s
Lotte Bolton
Alena Elliott
Lacey-Mai Gower
Caletta Hern
Amelie Hervouet
Isabella Marriott
Maisy Rich
Evalyn Saunders (c)
Ciara Shaw (vc)
Rose Timberlake
Head coach: Zola Saunders
Guernsey U12s
Sienna Alves-Holden
Sopia Bailey
Chloe Fallaize
Isabelle Grayland
Amity Horton
Jeannie Little
Evelyn Mauger (vc)
Charlotte Mullins
Madeleine Quinn (c)
Lucia Vizia
Head coach: Zola Saunders
Guernsey U14s
Matilda Bachmann
Evie Bellis
Millie Burchell
Elysia de la Mare
Addison Hale
Iren Heaume
Mabel Hill-Tout
Sophie Jehan
Holly Lavin
Macy Le Vallee
Orla Montgomery
Belle Ottey
Playing partners
Daisy Brehaut
Marcie Elliott
Gracie Guille
Poppy Humphrey
Issy Richmond
Elle Roger
Head coach: Donna Brehaut
Guernsey U16s
Poppy Bisson
Ella Burchell
Niamh Cameron
Sophie Elliott
Emma Feist (c)
Mariella Groulef (vc)
Elle Harris
Sophie Jehan
Giselle Jones
Emelia Mullins
Megan Richmond
Sophia Roger
Head coach: Heidi Rosamund
Guernsey U19
Eva Bourgaize
Taylor Ballanan
Liv Cotterill
Charlotte Duquemin
Mckenzie Rich
Evie Robinson (C)
Erin Sullivan vc
Sophie Taylor
Lola Wakefield
Freya Walley
Vicky Yabsley (vc)
Demi Young
Head coach: Sally Carns
Guernsey O30
Gemma Batiste
Lois Batiste
Lyndsey Bell
Kyra Butcher
Anais Flatres
Tiff Gervaise-Brazier (c)
Jo Jehan
Tracey Lock
Zola Saunders
Verona Tomlin
Anna Trump
Kiara Walsh
Player coach: Anna Trump
Open B
Taylor Callanan
Kerys Chamberlain
Olivia Cotterill
Bryony de Garis
Charlotte Duquemin
Savannah Goddard
Abbie Greening (c)
Viv Kemgne
Holly Langlois (c)
Sophie Pontin
Erin Sullivan
Sophie Taylor
Head coach: Sally Carns
Open A
Donna Brehaut (c)
Taylor Callanan
Becky Chamberlain
Olivia Cotterill
Tillie Graham
Viv Kemgne
Sophie Taylor
Mckenzie Rich
Abby Mccracken (c)
Vicky Yabsley
Evie Robinson
Erin Sullivan
Head coach: Sally Carns.
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