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SPORT Newmixed hockey leagues fire into life SEE PAGE55

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Laxey defeat reigning champions Corinthians SEE PAGE58

Isle of Man impress against touringMCC side SEE PAGE53

Sean Jackson in England squad for 2021 Amputee Euros Local footballer Sean Jack- son is in the 13-man England squad for the 2021 Amputee Euros which kicked off in Po- land yesterday (Monday). The 20-year-old amputee, who has been sponsored by homebuilder Dandara for al- most twoyears, headedout to Krakowlastweek, followinga high-intensity five-day train- ing camp at Reaseheath Col- lege, Nantwich. The team played its first group match against Greece yesterday and face France to- morrow (Wednesday), before the knockout rounds begin. Jackson, the 2018 Isle of Man Disability Sportsper- sonof theYear, is currently in the second year of a football coaching and management degreeatEtihadCampusUni- versity inManchester. He previously played lo- cally for Laxey, Marown and St George’s. Restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pan- demic meant a frustrating 12 monthsfortheplayerwhowas only able to return to training with the Manchester City’s ‘City in the Community’ am- putee squad inmid-May. Sean explained: ‘After all thedisruptionit’sreallyexcit- ing, aftermorethantwoyears ofpreparationandtraining, to be at the tournament. ‘I would like to say a mas- sive thanks to my sponsors – Dandara, IsleofManSportAid and Nedgroup Investments for continued support.’ International amputee football isrunasacharitywith playersandcoachesself-fund- ing, so sponsorship is vital to the squad’s progression.’ Sean will be posting regu- lar updates on his Facebook Page ‘Sean Jackson Amputee Football’ and the games will also be streamed live on the European amputee football webpagewww.ampeuro.eu l He has also recently fea- turedinatelevisionadvertise- ment for Sure’s WATCH ME MOVE campaign.

With the iconicAngel of theNorth in thebackground, MarkCavendish (far right) greets the fans ashe crosses thefinish lineat theendof Friday’sTourof BritainstageatGateshead. FellowManxmanMax Walker canalsobe seen fourth fromleft riding for TrinityRacing. Bothmenhavebeen long-listed for the IsleofMan teamfornext year’sCommonwealth Games inBirmingham(seebelow) Photo: SWPix.com

Cav set to headManx teamat Birmingham

Sport are working closely to- gether to give our athletes as much support as possible withtheirpreparationsforthe Games. ‘This is to ensure that the strongest possible team rep- resents the Isle of Man in Bir- minghamnext year. ‘Our plans for our partici- pationinBirminghamarewell underway, along with plan- ning for our key fundraising

certainty and confidence. TheTier1selectionsrepre- sent the first stage of a three- step process. The second tier of athletes will be provision- ally selected in January 2022, and the third tier in April 2022. ‘Anumber of athletes have been nominated by their re- spective local sports bodies for consideration. ‘The CGA and Isle of Man

activities such as the Queen’s BatonRelayandIoMCGAdin- ner, which offer great poten- tial for commercial partners to get involvedwithTeamIsle ofMan.’ Erica Bellhouse will be Chef de Mission for the 2022 Games in Birmingham and Graeme Hatcher (a former member of the cycling squad at successive Games) is gen- eral teammanager.

TourdeFrance starMark Cavendish is set toonceagain headline the IsleofMan team at theCommonwealthGames inBirminghamnext summer. Hisname isoneof 12individu- alsrevealedtodayas ‘Tier1’ se- lections for theManx teamat the event set to take place be- tween Thursday, July 28 and Monday, August 8, 2022. Th e Commonwe a l t h Games Association of the Isle of Man (CGA) has announced the names of the athletes who have been provisionally selected to represent Team Isle of Man across three key sports. They are Laura Kinley and Joel Watterson of aquatics; SarahAstinandOllie Lockley

COMMONWEALTHS

of athletics; plus Anna Chris- tian, Lizzie Holden, Amelia Sharpe, Matt Bostock, Sam Brand,MarkCavendish,Mark Christian andMaxWalker of cycling. A total of 30 athletes will make up Team Isle of Man, with the final selections to be confirmed inApril 2022. President of the IoMCGA, Basil Bielich, said: ‘We arede- lighted to have been able to select 12athletes at this stage. This is the first time we have selected Tier 1 athletes and we trust that this will enable thechosenindividualstoplan their preparation and train- ing programme with more

And to ride theworld championships MARKCAVENDISHANDBEN SWIFTHAVEBEENSELECTED TORIDE INNEXTWEEK’SUCI WORLDROADRACECHAMPI- ONSHIPSINBELGIUM. CavandOnchanresident Swift will representGreat Britain in theelitemen’s roadracewhich sees riders tacklea268.3-kilo- metre route fromAntwerp toLeuvenaweekonSunday, September 22. MORE INTHISWEEK’SMANX INDEPENDENT, ONSALE THURSDAY

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