Island Games star Alice picks up the bat again
Alice Edwards – formerly Alice Loveridge – is among several returning players to grace this year’s Doric Insurance senior table tennis leagues, which get under way tonight with the biggest top-division entry seen this century.
The prospect of the winner of eight Island Games gold medals competing in the top division in a year which culminates with a home games offers the enticing possibility of seeing one of Guernsey’s most decorated sport stars going for glory next summer.
However, despite her undoubted pedigree, Edwards is carefully managing her own expectations – not least because she will have to overcome a pre-season injury setback.
‘I slipped a disc a couple of weeks ago,’ she said. ‘I’m seeing a physio, so I’m hoping to be able to play soon, but it’ll be at least a couple of weeks.’
Edwards said her recent involvement in the wrong-handed tournament and her attendance at a centenary dinner got her thinking about a return to action, having last represented Guernsey back in 2015.
‘I’ve had a few years out and that was a nice break from the sport,’ she said, ‘but playing again and then being at the dinner made me realise that I missed it. Plus, there are quite a few good emerging players now, so it’ll be nice to take on new opponents rather than always seeing the same faces.’
Now a parent, Edwards acknowledged that she will not be able to devote the same amount of time to the sport and is therefore setting only modest goals.
‘Life’s changed,’ she said. ‘I used to train six or seven hours a day but now I’ve got a family and a job and I won’t be going away to compete.
‘I’m just happy to see how it goes this year and if I’m enjoying it, I’ll carry on.
‘I don’t want to be too optimistic about my chances in the individual standings, because I know there are a lot of new players and people who have really improved.’
Eight teams of three will compete for the first division title, with each tie consisting of three singles encounters and one doubles match.
Edwards will team up with Dawn Morgan and Mark Pipet in a strong-looking and highly decorated line-up to represent Whistlers C.
All matches will be played at the Table Tennis Centre on the Route de la Hougue du Pommier, with Divisions 1 and 3 on Wednesdays and 2 and 4 on Thursdays.
Overall, the league’s four divisions will feature a total of 34 teams, the largest number for many years.
Read a full table tennis season preview in Wednesday's paper
