OVER the next few weeks, the County Press will be introducing you to the athletes heading to Guernsey, to represent the Isle of Wight at the 2023 Island Games.

A host of sport will be represented, including archery, which has been part of the Island Games since 1987, hosted in Guernsey.

Speaking to the County Press on June 6, with a month to go before the games, archery's Rob Palmer and husband-and-wife team, Kay and David Grist, said they were excited to be taking part. 

Isle of Wight County Press: Rob Palmer, captain of the Isle of Wight's archery team in the Island Games in Guernsey.Rob Palmer, captain of the Isle of Wight's archery team in the Island Games in Guernsey. (Image: Jon Moreno)

Rob, who captains the Isle of Wight's smallest team going to the games, is no stranger to the event.

An Island Games competitor in 1997, 2003 and in 2011, Rob is a member of the West Wight Archery Club, while Kay and David, of Ventnor, are members of the Wight Bowmen.

For the couple, who have been only been shooting for about four years, it will be their first Island Games experience.

"This will be my fourth Island Games. I've been shooting since I was aged 16," said Rob, a former schoolteacher from Freshwater.

Isle of Wight County Press: Three people will represent the Isle of Wight in archery at the 2023 Island Games.Three people will represent the Isle of Wight in archery at the 2023 Island Games. (Image: Contributed)

"My role is to keep their spirits going, making sure they've got what they need and to give them shooting advice."

Rob's experience will be vital if the team are to target medals in Guernsey.

A medallist in Hampshire shoots and at events in other counties, Rob continues to have that competitive edge going into the Island Games.

On the team's medal hopes, Rob added: "It really depends on what the competition's like and how good we can be on the day. There will be a lot of variables."

With a drive to try to get younger people interested in archery on the Island, Rob jokes about being the youngest of the shooters going at the age of 62.

For Rob though, being part of the Island Games — a unique competition — and representing the Isle of Wight means a lot. 

"It's a lot more international than anything I've ever done before. You get to meet some nice people from different parts of the world and it's a nice week away," adds Rob, who performed in Guernsey in 2003.

"Hopefully we'll produce some good archery. It's a life experience, as well as a sporting experience."