Jersey Football Association has announced a squad of 19 female players will travel to this summer’s Island Games in Orkney.
Jersey Women’s manager Chad Morris revealed that Holly Muirhead will lead the young squad which has an average age of early-twenties, according to the JFA.
Teenage talent Sophie Thornton and Alena Clyde-Smith, who are both yet to make their debuts for the senior side, are included in the line-up.
Jersey will compete against four island nations in the group-stages; Shetland, Isle of Wight and 2023 gold medallists Bermuda.
Muirhead said the girls “love pulling on the Jersey shirt” and representing the island in competition.
“The girls who’ve been selected are understandably excited,” she said.
“It’s a strong squad with lots of the players having already been to previous Island Games and having that experience under their belts.”
Muirhead added that the team have “taken lots of learning and positives” from Southern Counties Cup fixtures to bring with them to the annual Muratti match at the end of the season before the Island Games.
The squad has been named earlier than normal to give players time to save and fundraise towards their travel and accommodation, the JFA said.
CEO Tim Pryor said: “Selection for an Island Games squad is the pinnacle for many players in Jersey, so congratulations to all those who’ve been chosen by the coaching team of Chad and Harry Walker.
“I know how honoured they all are to represent their island, and I’m sure they’ll go to Orkney and do Jersey proud this summer.”
Mr Pryor said that the players and staff are also “extremely grateful” to Ingram Advocates for their continued sponsorship of the women’s side, and the subsidy received through the Island Games Association of Jersey.
Jersey’s men’s team are currently preparing for their Muratti semi-final in Alderney later
this month, and manager Jack Cannon confirmed his Island Games squad will be named soon after that fixture.
The squad…
Aine Ruth, Alena Clyde-Smith, Ana Malta (GK), Anita Tavares, Danny Da Silva, Ella Brennand, Ella Docherty, Emily Le Page, Hannah Lynam, Holly Muirhead (c), Leah Morris, Macey Wyse,
Poppy Benest, Roisin Flynn, Sam Silva, Sara Luce (GK), Sofia Rodrigues, Sophie
Thornton, and Tiff Sundby