All systems go with Ynys Mon on radar

Although the sport is missing out at Orkney 2025, an alternative Island Games tournament in Ynys Mon – spanning 21 to 25 July – has provided a target for several male players looking to get their hands on some international play this summer.

Adam Farish, the long-serving Guernsey men’s coach, has seen a lift in motivation since the confirmation of the alternative tournament.

‘From our perspective, it’s great that they have got it,’ he said.

‘We were waiting and it had been affecting some of our motivation with the phases we normally go through every two years, knowing it might be four years.

‘It has affected the players’ focus on what they are working towards and building towards.

‘Now we have got it and we know it’s happening, it’s all systems go.’

Guernsey basketball is still coming down from a spectacular home Games, after which several top players have eased off or retired.

But Farish has still welcomed healthy groups of 15-16 players to recent training sessions.

These training squads have taken on a more youthful look, lacking the manpower of certain titans like Mike Beausire and Martin Yabsley.

The opposition at this summer’s Games will consist of the hosts, Isle of Man, Jersey, Falklands and Faroes, plus potentially other teams from the area that are considered a similar level.

Farish admits that, five or six years ago, a full-strength Guernsey squad would be a ‘shoo-in’ for this level of tournament.

But this may be just the level of competition that the developmental squad need.

‘If you took this squad to a full Island Games with Cayman Islands, Menorca, Bermuda or Saaremaa, we might not be competitive with those teams,’ he added.

‘But looking round – it’s essentially the British Isles plus Faroes and the Falklands – I think we’ve got a really good chance of going and competing.’

Farish credited the ‘really talented group of players’ in his arsenal.

And they still have plenty of experience in their ranks, with the likes of Andy Stephens and Paul Van Beek turning up to training sessions.

‘They’re there to help out, but they’re playing pretty well, so who knows?’

It is not until after the inter-insular in May that he is looking to finalise the squad for Ynys Mon.

Unfortunately, due to lower numbers of available players, Guernsey are currently not looking to send a women’s team.