TEAM Isle of Wight’s 23-strong athletics squad has every chance of returning from the Island Games with medals, according to its manager.

Nick Groocock believes many of the Island’s athletes could challenge for honours, including England hurdler James Forman and runner Dan Eckersley, who will be hoping to retain the steeplechase title he won in 2017.

Other hopefuls include Cambridge University student Bridget Fryer, who has thrown more than 40m in discus this year, and Henry McLuckie, 17, who recently won his age category in the Junior British Athletics One Mile Championships in London.

“We’re taking a real mixture of youth and experience, combining established competitors with some who can use these games as a springboard for future events,” said Nick.

“We’re taking a big squad, which means it’s a really busy programme for us in athletics, but that’s exciting and I’m really looking forward to the competition.”

The squad in full: Gavin Bodrell (100m), Charlie Button (high jump, 110m hurdles), Paul Cooke (10,000m, half marathon), Dan Eckersley (3,000m steeplechase, 5,000m), James Forman (400m hurdles), James Haggerty (800m), Max Henley (100m, 200m), Ben Holdsworth (400m hurdles, 400m, 110m hurdles), Henry McLuckie (800m, 1,500m), Luke Margham (400m, 200m), Sam Metcalf (1,500m), Milly Bacon (3,000m steeplechase, 1500m), Laura Brackley (half marathon), Mollie Butler and Holly Whitter (100m), Eden Canning (100m hurdles, long jump), Lucy Drover (200m), Bridget Fryer (discus, shot put), Amy Jaramazovic (400m, 800m), Mabel Lewis (800m, 1,500m), Ellie Lovett (discus), Charlie Metcalfe and Rosanna Sexton (half marathon).