In brief: Jersey Tennis is set to host a record 32 players from Guernsey at the Caesarean Tennis Club this weekend for the annual inter-insular competition. Jersey will be defending the Bucktrout Trophy following an 8-4 victory on Guernsey soil last year, their fourth consecutive inter-insular triumph. Men’s Open captain James Faudemer expects a tougher challenge this time around but remains confident in Jersey’s overall strength.
A Record Turnout for Island Bragging Rights
The 2026 inter-insular tennis competition gets under way at 1.30pm on Saturday at the Caesarean Tennis Club, with action continuing through to Sunday. According to the Jersey Evening Post, a record 32 players will make the trip from Guernsey, making this the largest edition of the event to date. The expanded numbers have allowed organisers to broaden the programme, with the Over-45s competition now running alongside the Open for the first time.
Jersey go into the weekend as defending champions, having secured the Bucktrout Trophy with an 8-4 win in Guernsey last year. That result extended their winning run to four consecutive inter-insular titles, and the home crowd at Caesarean will be hoping to see a fifth.
Men’s Open captain James Faudemer, however, is taking nothing for granted. “Guernsey are bringing a couple of stronger players this year than last year. It will be more challenging. Their women’s team is always strong,” he told the Jersey Evening Post. Despite that assessment, Faudemer is measured in his confidence: “We’re pretty strong in all our teams, but things are never won on paper. You look at the match-ups and you’re quite confident you should get the job done. It’s never easy, especially with the format, third sets and a tie-break shootout. You have to concentrate.”
Youth, Experience and the Right Environment
One of the more encouraging aspects of Jersey’s preparations has been the integration of younger players into the senior setup. Faudemer is keen to ensure that those making the step up feel genuinely part of the squad. “It is just making sure there’s a good environment around the players and that everyone feels like they’re a big part of the team, especially for the younger players because it can be quite daunting. Once you’re on the court, it is down to you,” he said.
The captain sees the current crop of juniors as the future of the island’s game. “What you’ll probably find in the next few years is that those juniors who are 14 or 15, they will be in this team from next year onwards. I want those juniors to be taking my spot in the next few years,” he added.
On his own game, Faudemer acknowledged that his coaching commitments have limited his court time in the lead-up to the competition. “I haven’t played loads in the lead-up as I coach, so I’m on court with players a lot. Tactically, I can work things out. Physically, it’s a little bit harder now, but hopefully we can get another win on Saturday.”
Top Seeds, Transatlantic Connections and a Touch of Romance
Beyond the team competition, the weekend carries an intriguing personal subplot. Jersey’s top seeds, Marnix Van Dalen and Natasha Forrest, are a couple, having met while playing tennis in the United States. Their Guernsey counterparts, Lauren Watson-Steele and Olly Cull, share a remarkably similar story: the pair recently became engaged after also meeting through the sport Stateside.
Watson-Steele and Forrest have developed a fierce rivalry on court over recent years, and that competitive edge will now come with an added layer of personal connection. With both couples set to face each other across the net, the weekend promises drama well beyond the usual inter-insular stakes.
Jersey’s squads for the competition are as follows. Men’s Open: Marnix Van Dalen, Luca Paciello, James Faudemer (captain), Reuben Davey, reserve Simon Di Meo. Ladies’ Open: Natasha Forrest, Eva Hurst, Isabella Aldridge, Triona O’Callaghan. Men’s Over-45s: Robert Hannah, Adam Bayley (captain), Simon Di Meo, Rychlund Aldridge, Lee Ingram, Ian Baggett. Ladies’ Over-45s: Rebecca Edwards, Karen Barnes, Sonia Smith, Noel Hurst.
Source: Jersey Evening Post
