Trebert trio make the grade for the Island Games

The presence of young David Trebert, one of three debuting players, alongside Gibraltar 2019 mixed doubles champions Emily and Jordan illustrates the youth-and-experience blend of this year’s team.

All of the main names are there bar prolific Guernsey singles champion Paul Le Tocq, who was excluded – somewhat contentiously – from first-team training last winter.

But team manager and experienced member Elena Johnson is pleased with the overall squad.

‘We have worked hard to build a squad that combines youth and experience over the past few seasons and I am delighted to see some new faces in the team,’ she said.

Current Island men’s doubles champions Alex Tapp and David Trebert will both make their Games debuts, as will teenager Edwards.

Johnson embodies the experience in the squad, having made her Island Games bow in 2001 and amassed six Commonwealths appearances.

‘We are also pleased to see the return of some of our more experienced players, with six members of the team having competed at Commonwealth Games level,’ Johnson said.

Emily and Jordan Trebert can target a repeat of Gibraltar now that the latter is back from an Achilles injury, which sidelined him before Birmingham 2022.

‘I am looking forward to playing alongside the three Trebert siblings, having partnered their mother Wendy to a silver medal at the Guernsey Games 20 years ago,’ Johnson added.

‘This is a transitional period for Guernsey badminton, with many players that we have counted on for years reaching retirement age, so we’re looking forward to seeing some of our younger players gaining some valuable experience to take into future Games.’

Women: Carys Batiste, Grace Edwards, Elena Johnson, Chloe Le Tissier, Emily Trebert.

Men: Stuart Hardy, Daniel Penney, Alex Tapp, Jordan Trebert, David Trebert.