TEAMS SELECTED TO REPRESENT GUERNSEY AT MAINLAND CUP

GUERNSEY Touch has selected two mixed teams to go to this year’s Mainland Cup in Germany at the end of July.

The decision is a different direction for the sport which has sent a mixed, mens and womens team away to tournaments for the last two seasons.

‘The Guernsey squad has changed dramatically since last year and for a number of different reasons, we have seen 23 people unavailable to participate this year which has provided us with both challenges and opportunities,’ said Guernsey Touch chair Katrina Bray who will be team manager for the trip.

‘The two mixed teams which have been selected are a great mix of experience and new players and will be two very competitive teams. The focus for the Mainland Cup will be to allow experienced players the opportunity to lead the team and to give new players the understanding of how a tournament differs to the Summer League games.’

Bray said that the Mainland Cup will also give the Guernsey squad valuable experience and understanding of the game which the coaching team can build on over the winter in preparation for next year’s European Championship.

‘We’ll be looking at those players going to this year’s Mainland Cup to be the backbone of next year’s teams and that will prove to be invaluable.’

The Mainland Cup takes place on 25 & 26 July in Heidelberg in Germany. It originates from the Green Stone Hook competition between Germany and France which has now been opened up to teams from across Europe. Spain, Italy, Austria and Holland are just some of the countries attending this year’s tournament.

‘It’s going to be another excellent tournament and another chance for us to showcase Guernsey Touch. As well as taking two teams away, we also have two qualified referees coming with us and a number of players will be undertaking their Level 2 qualification while they are there. There is no doubt that touch in Guernsey continues to progress and it’s going to be fantastic to see which of our players shines in Heidelberg,’ said Bray.

Guernsey then travels to Jersey on 1st August for the annual inter-insular.

The Guernsey team travelling to this year’s Mainland Cup are:
Mixed A
Aaron Le Masurier
Alec Bailey
Andrew Dunn
Andy May
Carly Parrott
Clio Phelan
Debbie Wilson
Emma Curtis
Gilly Kennedy-Smith
Iain Atchison
James Gavey
Laura Cravo
Mark Rodliffe
Ollie Ward
Sonia Hewitt

Mixed B
Alex Miller
Claire Tostevin
Dan Wray
Dave Strawbridge
Dominic Page
Hannah Lord
Jess Regnard
Justeen Baker
Lauri Warlow
Matt Brehaut
Matthew Chick
Michelle Boddy
Nick Merrien
Richard Duchemin

Manager Katrina Bray

Referee Guido Bohlmann
Referee Paula Townsend