Ozanne’s alternative take on the player-coach role for inter-insulars
It will be a big weekend for every member of the four Guernsey teams heading to Jersey and aiming to retain their inter-insular titles.
But for Lucas Ozanne, there are two quite different roles to fill.
Not only is he one of five players receiving their first senior men’s cap for Guernsey, he will be taking his coaching credentials to the women’s match.
Under the leadership of 23-year-old Ozanne, Comets – who make up a sizeable portion of the final squad – reached new heights this season with a women’s league and knockout double.
He will now be working with women’s head coach Jenny Murphy as the Guernsey squad target their first title under new leadership.
‘We have got a lot of confidence for the women – they’re playing very well,’ he said.
The Guernsey women have not lost this side of the millennium and thumped Jersey 97-31 last year, so it is difficult to see that streak ending.
Ozanne had originally got into coaching through Future Stars but had the opportunity to take a vacant role with Comets, who have since reached a new level.
‘I went to give it a go and it was really fun.
‘I kept going and it’s great to see them get better and be able to win everything.’
He added that coaching Comets has been ‘making the transition a lot easier’ when it comes to this Island role.
For his step up to representing the Guernsey men, he is conscious that he is essentially replacing point guard Matt Sawbridge. The star player misses out through injury.
‘I am very excited, but a bit nervous for the men’s one.’
Yet he is grateful to be making the step up with a number of other younger players he has known from first and second division days.
He said it was ‘quite reassuring’ to have Ed Miller, a Division Two teammate for Black Rock, in the squad.
‘Harry Gent as well – I’ve been playing with him for a while.’
Ciaran Hamilton is also representing Guernsey at senior level for the first time.
Hamilton's V1 Pistons team mate Dan Naftel has been called in as an injury replacement for the sidelined Blake Carre.
Saul Falla made his senior debut at last year’s Island Games, but this is his first senior inter-insular.
‘I suppose it’s nice to start [at senior level] with a few of the players I’ve been playing with for a while,' said Ozanne.
‘This is the “refresh” year, and we’re building up a new team because we are all quite young and a lot of players retired last year.
‘It’s nice not to be the only one, really.’
The men may be in a transitional period but past results hold them in good stead, with last year’s 80-41 success topping off a long run of victories.
Guernsey’s U21 and U17 teams will also be defending their titles – the U21s edged last year’s match 77-66, while the U17s won 68-48.
All matches take place at Fort Regent on Saturday.
