The Isle of Man swimming team has been announced for this year’s NatWest Island Games in July.

In what is the largest squad in recent years, the selection is a mixture of experience and youth, featuring newly-crowned Sportswoman of the Year and Great Britain international Charlotte Atkinson.

The team of seven male and seven female athletes will allow the swimmers to compete in a range of events and include as many as possible in the hotly-contested relay events.

National coach Lee Holland said: ’It is always nice to put individuals on the podium but it is that bit more special when we can put four up there draped in Manx flags.’

The women that will return to the games are Atkinson, Laura Kinley, Steph Brew, Emma Hodgson and Olivia Marshall who will be joined by newcomers Kiera Prentice and Blae Richardson.

With Kinley and Brew taking the top two spots at the last Games in the 50m breaststroke and Marshall the returning champion In the 50m fly being joined by world championship butterfly swimmer Atkinson, there is a great feeling within the squad that records are certain to fall.

The men’s team of Alex Bregazzi, Joel Watterson, Euan Macmurchie, Ben Kebbell, Brody Hewison will be joined by newcomers Peter Allen and Harvey Lowe.

With Watterson and Bregazzi recently in record-breaking form in the 50m and 100m freestyle events respectively, the strength in depth of the squad looks stronger than ever. The team will be accompanied by coach Holland, team manager Rosemary Kinley and physio Ruth Cooil.

The team have received a very generous support package from Speedo following the success of the partnership at the Commonwealth Games. This will be the first time the swimsuit giant has supported the team at Island Games level.

This deal along, with the ever-present support from team sponsor Utmost Wealth Solutions, is in no small part contributing to such an exciting group of swimmers coming through to compete at national and international level.