Some of the Island Games tennis squad, back, from left, Jack Giles, Luke Watling and Pete Reynolds. Front, from left, Jenny Pakenham-Walsh, Rohan Pakenham-Walsh and Philippa Harrison.
ISLAND GAMES TENNISTHE IW’s tennis squad has a great mix of youth and experience which could take them into the latter stages of individual and team competition in Aland next week.
The team of five men and five women are looking forward to a great week of tennis action in Aland’s main town, Mariehahm.
The ladies’ team is dominated by the Pakenham-Walsh family, with Rohan, 28, Netta, 24, and Jenny 22, all selected from Brighstone Lawn Tennis Club.
The remaining two slots are taken by Philippa Harrison, 21, a member of both Brighstone and Ryde Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (RLTCC), and Ventnor Tennis Club member Lucy Gooden, 17.
In the men’s team, RLTCC members Pete Reynolds, 29, Jack Giles, 25, and Ben Brading, the youngest of the team at 16 years old, have been chosen.
Completing the squad are Brighstone member Thomas Harrison, 26, and Luke Watling, 25, who now plays for a club in London.
Accompanying the team will be coach David Fothergill and manager Jill Wareham.
She said: "Ben and Lucy have both benefited from a grant from the Youth Opportunity Fund and Ben is looking forward to experiencing the NatWest Island Games after playing in the Youth Games last year.
"The Island Games tennis tournament is always of a very high standard.
"But the team has been practising hard and are hoping, against very tough opposition, to get further up the draws in the team events, singles, doubles and mixed doubles than two years ago."