The 14-player Isle of Man squad has been named for next month’s Netball Europe Open Challenge, which is being held at the NSC.

The annual tournament is being hosted in the island between May 9-12.

The Manx hosts will be joined by teams from United Arab Emirates, Gibraltar, Ireland, Israel, Cayman Islands and UK Armed Forces Netball.

The squad will once again be led by captain Ashley Hall (SMP Ballasalla) and vice-captain Vivia Stawna (Simcocks Eagles), both veterans of Gibraltar.

The rest of the selection includes seven further players from the award-winning 2018 squad in Rachel Boyd-Johnstone (Simcocks Eagles), Ellan Charmer (Simcocks Eagles), Chloe Gale (Simcocks Eagles), Kat Keeling (Route 1), Gemma Kirkham (SMP Ballasalla), Jane Ryder (SMP Ballasalla) and Lydia Shaw (SMP Ballasalla).

They are joined by five players who will be earning their first caps: Molly Christian (Thompson Travel), Becky Hempsall (Simcocks Eagles), Paige Skillicorn (Route 1), Jess Smallwood (Simcocks Eagles) and Sara Watterson (Route 1).

Although playing at home, the squad will all be staying together at a hotel to maintain the focus needed and keep the team unity high.

Coach Claire Battye is confident in her squad: ’I am so proud of them. We have given them the skills they need and confidence to be the best they can be and to play proudly for the Isle of Man.

’These girls are a real team and will bring that spirit to each and every game.’

The squad of 14 allows Battye and assistant coach Rob McKee to choose 12 players per match. The latter is based in Manchester and is currently with the city’s Giants Netball Club, but still comes over to the island regularly at his own expense.

The pair report that training is going well, with the larger senior squad having had regular sessions since last May.

This has included personal fitness training as well as skills and match play.

Team management is headed by Deborah Evans for the second year, while the side’s physio will be Jane Cowley.

The same event last year, held in Gibraltar, marked the Isle of Man’s international debut after leaving Netball England and joining the International Netball Federation.

The Manx finished a remarkable second on their international bow and this performance helped earn the side the 2018 Team of the Year accolade at the recent Isle of Man Sports Awards.

Battye was also named Coach of the Year at the awards which took place at the Villa Marina earlier this month.

The squad is pleased to continue its association with Hooded Ram who has continued its sponsorship for a second year.

EUROPEAN CHALLENGE SCHEDULE:

All games at NSC

Thursday, May 9

9am UK AFNA v Gibraltar

11am Cayman Islands v Ireland

1pm Israel v Emirates

3pm Gibraltar v Cayman Islands

5pm Ireland v UK AFNA

7pm Israel v Isle of Man

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Friday, May 10

9am Ireland v Israel

11am Emirates v Cayman Islands

1pm Isle of Man v UK AFNA

3pm Gibraltar v Israel

5pm Ireland v Emirates

7pm Isle of Man v Cayman islands

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Saturday, May 11

9am UK AFNA v Cayman Islands

11am Isle of Man v Emirates

1pm Ireland v Gibraltar

4pm Emirates v UK AFNA

6pm Gibraltar v Isle of Man

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Sunday, May 12

9am Cayman Islands v Israel

11am Emirates v Gibraltar

1pm Isle of Man v Ireland

3pm Israel v UK AFNA

Followed by the closing ceremony

l Tickets are available at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/netball-europe-open-challenge-2019-tickets-55274440339