Archery’s freshly announced Island Games squad matches the record-sized team of Guernsey 2023 and brings a distinct family feel, not only through sisters Lisa and Zoe Gray targeting their sixth edition but with two Bonners and an impressive three Hurrells among those selected.
But the team will be under new, UK-based management following the death of ‘Mr Archery’ Steve Yates – the uncle of the Gray sisters.
Altogether, there are five Games first-timers, including the father-and-daughter combination of Ed and Lily Hurrell.
New Bowmen of Guernsey president Lisa Gray expects even the experienced archers to be tested by the conditions in the very northerly archipelago.
‘We know that the weather is likely to be very challenging, with common cold temperatures, wind and rain at that time of year, so everyone will be relying on their experience of shooting in that sort of environment,’ she said.
‘For us, the competition is likely to last four consecutive days, some of which will last around eight hours, so as an outdoor sport we will need all of our endurance for the expected conditions.
‘We will put in team training prior to the Games to help out the newer members of the team.’
However, there remains hope of getting archers on the podium, and she adds: ‘Our main medal prospects come in the form of both compound disciplines and the ladies’ recurve discipline.’
Lisa is among the medal hopes in that women’s recurve discipline, having made the podium an impressive 13 times previously either individually or within a team.
Former Sark representative Monika Komla earned two silvers and a bronze on her debut for Guernsey in Orkney 2025 and so enters as another medal hopeful.
The women’s recurve team is completed by two Hurrells.
Mary Hurrell is in her second Games and so is the most experienced member of her family.
She will be joined by daughter Lily, at 15 the youngest member of the team and hoping to gain lots of experience alongside her parents.
The men’s recurve is made up entirely of debutants.
This includes Edward Hurrell, who will be competing alongside his wife and daughter for his first Games.
Craig Clark brings his own family narrative as, for his first Games, he may find himself competing against his brother in Falkland Islands colours.
Meanwhile, Adam Bonner makes the switch from team manager in Orkney to competitor in the Faroes.
James Adamson is the least experienced and newest member of all but has competed at Record Status level and is up for the challenge and experience.
After her individual gold in the head-to-head compound, echoing her late uncle’s feat from Guernsey 2003, Zoe Gray goes in as another definite medal prospect.
Gen Witham is another very experienced member for the women’s compound team and has represented Guernsey many times both at a national and international level.
Still a teenager but eyeing her third Games, Ellen Bonner has gained a lot of experience this year shooting in the Junior National Series across the UK.
Demelza Newsom completes the women’s compound and is returning for her second Games.
The men’s compound team also brims with experience.
Oliver Coupe is currently shooting incredibly well, having obtained some Welsh and university records.
Despite being in his mid 70s, and so the oldest competitor on the team, Michael Burrows is shooting just as well as the rest. It will be his third Games.
Kieran Kelly is another very experienced member and has come close to medals previously.
Michael Marquand, one of the most experienced members, won a team medal at Isle of Wight 2011.
The UK-based Paul Richards and Steve Vallis, who are good friends of the local archery community and come to the island annually to officiate at the Guernsey International, will share the team management position initially set for the late Yates.
Men’s recurve
James Adamson, Edward Hurrell, Craig Clark, Adam Bonner.
Women’s recurve
Lisa Gray, Mary Hurrell, Lily Hurrell, Monika Komla.
Men’s compound
Oliver Coupe, Michael Burrows, Kieran Kelly, Michael Marquand.
Women’s compound
Zoe Gray, Gen Witham, Ellen Bonner, Demelza Newsom.
