PHIL OGIER is targeting another golden Games for Guernsey’s table tennis stars.

The veteran of six previous visits to the biennial event last represented the island in Shetland, 2005, when the Sarnians claimed team gold.

He has set his sights just as high this time around.

‘We always go aiming for a [team] gold medal – going in for anything less is the wrong attitude to take,’ Ogier said.

‘But there is some tough opposition there, so I think the minimum you are looking for to start with is to get into the semi-finals and, once you are there, anything can happen.’

The Guernsey team in Aland is a mixture of youth and experience.

Ogier, Dawn Morgan and Kay Chivers are regular Games participants, while Garry Dodd and Paula Le Ber were both in action in Rhodes.

There are three debutants in the form of Paul Hainsworth, Ollie Langlois and Guernsey’s youngest team member, 13-year-old Kate Stubbington.

Despite it being the latter’s first trip to an Island Games, Ogier pointed out that they are far from inexperienced.

‘It is a lot different nowadays in that our junior players are getting chances on a regular basis to compete on a higher level off island and get exposure to these types of events.

‘It would be different if it was just this one opportunity for them every two years, but these guys are already dab hands at going away to play for the island.’

The team members also have their experience of playing in the British Leagues to call upon – ‘the standard of the Island Games and the British Leagues is not too far apart’ according to Ogier.

However, Ogier, in his new multi-faceted capacity, will be on hand to offer any guidance necessary to his teammates.

‘It is a tough week and it is a different challenge for me personally this time going as player-captain.

‘Not only am I looking to perform on the table whenever necessary, but I am also taking coaching and team selection issues into account.

‘There is certainly going to be a lot on my plate, but I will be trying to get [the newcomers] through it and pass on my experience,’ Ogier said.

When it comes to the opposition, Guernsey’s player-captain expects perennial contenders Gotland to be there or thereabouts once again.

He also feels Rhodes could be strong while Jersey have the more than useful addition of their feisty development officer Craig Gascoyne to call upon.

He added that Aland could be the dark horses in the tournament.

‘They have not generally been strong in the past, but you never know who is lurking around the corner in a host island. There always seems to be someone who does not travel to away Games but then appears at home,’ Ogier said.

But all he can do is focus on bringing the best out of his troops and he is confident that their preparations will hold them in good stead.

‘We have been training for about four months now, specifically for the Island Games, and it has gone really well.

‘Everybody seems to be playing well at the right time and are really looking forward to it.’

Guernsey squad:
Phil Ogier, Garry Dodd, Ollie Langlois, Paul Hainsworth,  Kay Chivers, Dawn Morgan, Paula Le Ber, Kate Stubbington.
Team manager: Christine Webb.

Schedule
Sunday 28 June
10am (EEST) – Team round one
1pm – Team round two
5pm – Team round three
Monday 29 June
9am – Team round four
noon – Team round five
4pm – Team round six
7pm – Team round seven
Tuesday 30 June
9am – Team play-offs
noon – Places 3-12
3pm – Final
Thursday 2 July
9am-1pm – Singles group matches
3-6pm – Singles play-offs including quarter-finals
Friday 3 July
9am-3pm – Mixed doubles group matches including quarter-finals
3.30-8pm – Doubles group matches including quarter-finals
Saturday 4 July
9am – All semi-finals
noon – All finals

Medal hopes: When it comes to the team event, defending champions Gotland will again take all the beating, but Guernsey have got a great podium chance.
In the individual events, don’t be surprised to see a couple more medals picked up, even in Alice Loveridge’s absence.