Sisters shoot for success

By Rebecca Hind and Fiona Fitton

Following in their family’s footsteps, sisters Gemma and Zoe Kirkham are testing their teamwork on the court this week as part of the Isle of Man’s women’s basketball team.

The Kirkham sisters not only have the privilege of competing together but will also be playing in the jersey numbers that their mum and brother wore when they themselves competed in the Games in previous years - their brother in Jersey in 2015 and their mum in Guernsey in 2003. 20 years later on the same island, they are carrying on the family legacy. 

Guernsey 2023 is the first opportunity the siblings have had to play together in a competition of this scale, and it was clear to see from speaking to them just how supportive they are of each other and proud they are to be representing the Isle of Man together. To make the most out of the Games, they said they plan to “go out strong”, and “work for each other”.

Despite an unfortunate loss against Guernsey in the heats (67-55), the sisters were still hopeful. As Gemma put it, “[we’ve] come a long way as a team since the last Island Games”, which was evident today when they came back strong with a convincing win against the Faroe Islands (45-19).