Members of Team Isle of Man departed for the Commonwealth Games in Australia on Monday afternoon.

Ronaldsway was a hive of activity as a third of the 33-strong team plus coaches and team officials began their long journey Down Under to the Gold Coast ahead of the Games which begin on April 4.

Most of the island’s sports were represented, with the notable exception being the large cycling team that will travel separately over the coming 10 days.

Athletes Joe Reid and Erika Kelly were joined by badminton players Ben Li, Jessica Li and Cristen Merritt, gymnast Nicole Burns, shooters Rachel Glover and Neil Parsons, swimmers Steph Brew and Guy Davies plus lawn bowler Mark McGreal.

The Manx contingent were in good spirits ahead of their initial flight to Manchester, with friends and family in attendance - some waving Manx flags - to wish the athletes luck.

Chef de Mission Leonie Cooil admitted that the team just can’t wait to get started in Australia now: ’We’re all ready to get there now and get on with things. It’s been a long build up but it’s also gone very quickly and now we want to be in the Gold Coast and get on with it.

’I think the overriding feeling [within the team] is excitement. They’ve worked so hard for so many years to get to this stage so they want to get out there now and show everyone what they’ve been working towards.

’They’re excited to see the facilities, the Games Village, get settled and carry on as they have been and then perform and show everyone what the Isle of Man can do.

’The team themselves are going to the Sunshine Coast for acclimatisation and a bit of training, whereas myself, Trevor [Taubman] and Tonia [Lushington] are going down to the village to set up and the team will join us on Sunday.

’Then it’s about settling in there, getting a feel for everything at the competition venues.

’For example, the swimmers are used to swimming at the NSC - there are 10,000 seats at the one in Australia and it’s an open air one so it’s going to be very different.

’So it’s all about getting a feel for how it’s going to be and trying to keep the athletes busy but relaxed at the same time.’

So what would constitute a success for Team Isle of Man at the 2018 Commonwealth Games?

’Everyone having done the best they possibly can, we can’t ask for more than that.

’If they’ve gone out there and put 100 per cent into everything, then that’s all we can ask for and that’s what I’m hoping for.

’They always do the Isle of Man proud.’

More from Team Isle of Man in this week’s Manx Independent - on sale Thursday.