Eighteen years after making her NatWest Island Games debut in Gotland, hurdler Hannah Riley will return to the Swedish island in June as part of the 26-strong Isle of Man athletics team.

Riley, Catherine Reid and Rachael Franklin will seek to retain the Island Games crowns in Gotland having triumphed in Jersey two years ago. The Isle of Man are also defending the women’s half-marathon and 4 x400m relay team titles at the Games which take place between June 24-30.

Jersey medalists Kevin Loundes, Andy Barron and Hannah Howard also return and will again compete in the half-marathon, while Bethan Pilley will compete in the long jump. Alan Corlett will also look to regain his 2013 title in the 3,000m steeplechase.

Team manager Anthony Brand said: ’I’m very excited by this group of athletes and what I think we can achieve in Gotland.

’There’s a real blend of experience and exciting new talent, with the likes of Island Games medalists, Joe, Catherine, Rachael, Hannah and Kevin, selected alongside those becoming Island Games athletes for the first time, like Rhys Owen, David Mullarkey, Elissa Morris and Ashleigh Lachenicht.’

’This is a very well prepared and strong team. We believe the performances this group can achieve will see us challenging for a number of places on the podium at this Games and in the future.’

Island Games squad:

Men:

100m Marcus Clague, Brandon Atchison; 200m Marcus Clague, Brandon Atchison; 400m Joe Reid; 800m Rhys Owen, David Mullarkey; 1,500m Rhys Owen, David Mullarkey; 5,000m Alan Corlett, Jack Okell; 10,000m Oliver Lockley, Kevin Loundes; 3,000m steeplechase Alan Corlett, Max Costley; Hammer throw Richard Bell; Discus throw Richard Bell; Javelin throw Joe Harris, Brandon Atchison; Half-marathon Oliver Lockley, Kevin Loundes, Andy Barron.

Women:

100m Meghan Pilley, Bethan Pilley; 200m Meghan Pilley; 400m Catherine Reid, Ashleigh Lachenicht; 800m Ashleigh Lachenicht; 1,500m Rachael Franklin; 5,000m Rachael Franklin, Karen Shimmin; 10,000m Karen Shimmin, Hannah Howard; 100m hurdles Hannah Riley, Amber Sibbald; 400m hurdles Sara Watterson, Hannah Riley; High jump Sara Watterson; Long jump Bethan Pilley, Amber Sibbald; Hammer throw Alice Bell; Half-marathon Hannah Howard, Sarah Webster, Elissa Morris; Relay squads will be made up from the above selected athletes. Manager Anthony Brand; Assistant managers Richard Sille and Bridget Kaneen; Sports therapist Sarah Linehan.