THE Isle of Wight has selected its athletes to compete at next summer's Island Games in Orkney.

The Games are set for July, with the Island team including several promising athletes.

However, Dan Eckersley will not compete in his preferred steeplechase, as it is not part of the programme this time.

Eckersley, a two-time winner of the event, won silver at the last Games in Guernsey.

Read more: Island Games 2023: More medals for Isle of Wight athletes in Guernsey

He hopes to compete in the distance races and is looking forward to his first half marathon, having achieved an impressive time at the Manchester Half in May.

Joining him in the half marathon will be fellow Ryde Harrier, Dave Hunt, who is excited about making his Games debut.

The women's half marathon also boasts a strong line-up, with Carly Scoble, a member of the gold medal-winning team from Guernsey, and Bethany Howarth, who is set to make her first appearance at the Games.

Ellen Williams will compete in the 5,000m, another debut athlete for this event.

Read more: Meet the athletes being fielded by Team Isle of Wight at the Island Games

Amy Kelland returns for her second Games, after winning silver in the 10,000m in Guernsey and will also compete in the 5,000m.

High jumper, Charlie Button, who competed in Gibraltar in 2019, is back with the team.

Now living in London, he is coached by Carol Jackson, who has trained Olympic medallists.

Jacob Patey aims to improve on his fifth-place finishes in both the 110m and 400m hurdles in Guernsey.

His twin brother, Noah, will also compete, switching from steeplechase.

Archie Pearson, the youngest athlete ever to represent the Isle of Wight at the Games, will focus on the 1,500m — and may also run the 800m.

Eddie Chambers will compete in the 800m as well, having posted a time of 1.58.05 earlier this year.

Eden Canning is set for her third Games, competing in the 100m hurdles. She will be joined by Sophie Hogton, a talented junior athlete.

Sixteen-year-old Sophie McCallum will also compete in the 100m, having made a little bit of Island history by breaking the 13-second barrier.

Holly Whitter will contest the javelin, having recovered from a broken arm sustained in training. She will also be part of the 4x100m relay team.

Skyler Brown will compete in the shot put and is also part of the relay squad.

Team managers, Nick Groocock and Nicola Canning, are enthusiastic about leading the team, despite challenges with costs and logistics.