The Bailiff Geoffrey Rowland meets three of the swimmers from the Guernsey team for the Commonwealth Youth Games, Matt Girard, Vicki Parfit and James Jurkiewicz. The party departs tomorrow ahead of the start on Sunday. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0649201)

THE success of Guernsey’s Commonwealth Youth Games team is difficult to predict, according to David Harry, the team manager.

The island is sending 10 competitors to the Games in Pune, India, with five of those involved swimmers, as well as two tennis players, two from table tennis and a single athlete.

Harry believes that the big problem is the unknown standard factor of many of the opponents. ‘It is difficult to know because we don’t know who they are coming up against. The medal winners are going to be difficult to predict.’

Although Harry admits that winning medals would be pleasing, he believes it is the experience of being there that will help. ‘I hope they all come away with a terrific sporting experience that will hold them in good stead for the future. I think they may rise to the occasion and potentially half of them could be going to Delhi [for the 2010 Commonwealth Games],’ he said.