Team target medals again
Archers set sights on Faroes
Guernsey's hoping to send a strong Archery team to the Faroe Islands next summer and it could be a real family affair.
Mary Hurrell, who competed in Recurve at her first games in Orkney last year, could have her husband, Ed, and daughter, Lily, competing with her in 2027.
Speaking of her first games she said: "I'd only been shooting about a year so it was quite a new experience for me but I really loved it and there were so many friendly people there and it wasn't as competitive as I thought, people were really encouraging and supportive, even from other islands."
Her first games has given her the taste for more.
"It's a great atmosphere, it's good to compete, it's nice to represent your island and it's good if you can get some medals too."
And they did get medals in Orkney, six in fact.
1 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze and they'll be looking for more in the Faroes next year but know, as always, the hosts will prove a great challenge.
Steve Yates, who will manage the team, is expecting a superb set-up from the hosts.
He says the competition improves each time and "the Faroes are awesome and of course they're at home, so they're going to have their best team out."
Steve's first games was in 1993 in the Isle of Wight and he's been a fan ever since.
"I think the games is wonderful, it's really good to meet up with old friends. There are people there that I've known since I started. It's a really good atmosphere, it's good competition because it's a step up from what we do locally."
And his advice for newbies is: "don't worry about your shooting just enjoy the week because it is a phenomenal week."
While he hopes to have a strong team in the Faroe Islands next July, he says they might struggle in the men's recurve as they're lower on numbers.
Mike Burrows, who competes in the compound is looking to go to his third games in a row for Archery.
Mike came into archery after various injuries forced him to give up clay shooting and golf.
He enjoys almost everything there is about the games: "the camaraderie, the competition, meeting guys from other island and the guys from the Faroes are really good fun."
His granddaughter could also be part of team Guernsey next year. Daisy competes in both basketball and volleyball.
He's looking forward to the opportunity to travel to the Faroe Islands.
"It sounds an amazing place to go to. I'm looking forward to going round the underground roundabout."
Meanwhile, teammate Oli Coupe is also hoping a third Island Games is on the cards.
He found and "fell in love" with the sport during covid and says he's seen real progression in his skills over the last few years.
The compound archer loved the atmosphere in Orkney and is expecting similar from next year's games.
"The Faroes are really good archers. They're Vikings, they're built like Vikings and they know how to shoot a bow."
He's excited about the chance to visit a new place:
"The Island Games gives you the opportunity to go to these far flung destinations that you wouldn't ordinarily think of as a holiday destination."
Demelza Newsom's first and only games so far was Guernsey in 2023.
The sport was a "bucketlist thing for my 40th birthday and it just kind of stuck."
After trying the beginner's course, she found the compound bow and that was the moment it all clicked.
"Guernsey was incredible because I had no other benchmark as it was my first games. From the moment we walked through Town with all the crowds, to people walking around smiling and all the different kits on the buses, it was just incredible really."
She's keen to be part of Team Guernsey in 2027, wanting to support the island games as a whole by being involved.
"It's just a coming together of all sorts [of people] and getting to watch other sports you wouldn't normally see."
The Archery team has been busy raising money to help offset some of the costs of the games.
It's something Steve Yates acknowledges: "I often say for the money you could get a really nice holiday, but you'd miss out on the games and I think it is worth paying, it is worth doing."
"It's just the atmosphere, the experience, seeing the rest of Guernsey do well."