Island Games 2015: Isle of Man name 'biggest ever' team

The Isle of Man team will be hoping to repeat their Island Games success in 2013 when they won 97 medals

The Isle of Man has named its biggest ever Island Games team for this summer's competition in Jersey.

A total of 218 competitors and 47 officials will fly the Manx flag in 14 sports at the 16th Island Games.

Two years ago in Bermuda, the island won 97 medals, including 36 golds, to finish top of the medal table for the first time since 1988.

Team Manager Jill Gillings said: "For many of our team the Games will be the pinnacle of their sporting lives."

She added: "For a few it may even be a stepping stone to the Commonwealth Games or the Olympics."

Mrs Gillings is the mother of Olympic snowboarder Zoe Gillings.

The Island Games will get underway on Jersey on the 27 June.

The Isle of Man hosted the first Island Games in 1985, when the event was known as the Inter Island Games, with 15 teams competing.

This year around 3,500 athletes from 24 Islands are expected to take part.

The Isle of Man finished at the top of the medal table in Bermuda two years ago