Team gold top of agenda for Island Games table tennis squad

And the hosts are well-equipped to achieve that aim – not least with multiple individual champion Alice Edwards (nee Loveridge) enjoying a successful return to the sport and top man Garry Dodd currently in the form of his life.

Those two previous individual medallists are the headline names in the recently unveiled squad of eight players, which team manager Josh Butler views as a ‘nice mix of experience and a new face’.

The new face in question is Guernsey U18 girls’ champion Shelby Timms, who is only 16 but anticipating her Games debut.

The women’s team also features Guernsey’s most decorated Games table tennis player, Dawn Morgan, who has 32 medals to her name all told.

Fellow veteran Kay Chivers carries the prestige and experience of a 17-time Guernsey women’s champion, though this will be her first Games outing since Aland 2009.

Edwards debuted at Rhodes 2007, winning singles and doubles golds on her 13th birthday, and last competed at Jersey 2015 – where she won those two titles again.

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She returns as a parent and with a slightly different approach to the sport.

‘There’s less pressure these days, and she’s obviously got a young family – it’s not the be all and end all,’ Butler said.

‘It’s great to have her back as well.

‘Come the summer, I’m not sure what other nations are going to rock up with, but I’d say Alice will definitely be in the mix, hopefully.’

Dodd also debuted at Rhodes 2007 and has since amassed 18 total medals, including five golds. He took singles silver at Gibraltar 2019 and will be looking to go one better.

The dependable Stacey siblings also return, with Josh having four Games under his belt already and Lawrence having three.

Ben Foss adds to the young-but-experienced theme of the men’s team, with three Games appearances behind him.

Despite the strength of the home team, Butler expects it to be tougher than previous years, with Jersey, Gotland and Greenland among the main threats.

‘I think it’s exciting at the same time that probably any one of four nations could win it.

‘We need to use the home Games as a positive thing. You don’t want to add pressure but we know the Guernsey support’s going to be fantastic.

‘If you win the team gold it’s a lovely feeling, so we’re hoping for that.’