TNB employee's represent Gibraltar in the 2025 Island Games

Matthew Borg, Account Manager, Financial Intermediaries, Kasper Thy Jessen, Corporate Banking Manager and James Linares, Head of IT from the 12th-18th of July will be competing in the Island Games 2025 taking place in Orkney. Luke Henshaw, Account Manager, is also heading to Orkney for the games as he joins the medical team as a sports therapist.

Matthew Borg, Triathlete

1. What do you enjoy most about Triathlon?

Being able to tackle three disciplines creates diversity within my training routine. The increase in popularity the sport has had in recent years makes competitions more exciting and enjoyable.

2. If you weren’t competing in Triathlon what other sport would you like to compete in?

From a young age I was always involved in different types of sports. I took part in Swimming, Football, Basketball, Table Tennis, Running and Rowing. I took up Cycling when I was sixteen and getting involved with Triathlon. I have always enjoyed a variety of physical activity, my personal favourite being running, as this is the activity my whole family has been involved with. I enjoy competing in running events, both locally and in Spain. I would have been competing more frequently in Running if I wasn’t competing in Triathlon.

3. When you started doing Triathlon was competing in the Island Games always a goal?

Representing Gibraltar at international competitions has always been my main goal. It is what keeps me motivated, to ensure my training remains consistent and challenging, whilst maintaining a strong competitive mindset. My target at the 2025 Island Games in Orkney will be to have a good performance and try to return home with a team medal in the Triathlon event.

James Linares, Badminton Player

1. What do you enjoy most about badminton?

The speed of the game – it’s the fastest racket sport!

2. If you weren’t competing in badminton what other sport would you like to compete in?

I would love to give archery a go! I don’t think it’s a sport in Gibraltar, so would be cool to introduce this!

3. When you started playing badminton was competing in the Island Games always a goal?

My ambitions for the Island Games actually started when I was 8 and playing tennis. My tennis coach always mentioned the Island Games, and I always wanted to represent Gibraltar in one. I was not very good at tennis, and started badminton during my GCSEs and managed to improve enough to start representing Gibraltar in the 2011 Island Games in Isle of Wight when I was 16!

Kasper Thy Jessen, Badminton player

What do you enjoy most about badminton?

The sport incorporates a physical, tactical and technical skill set. There are always areas that you can work on and improve. It is played in most of Europe and it gives opportunities to play against many different opponents. As I am no longer a “spring chicken” it continues to be great to play and the sport also caters for different age groups so it is possible to continue to be competitive

If you weren’t competing in badminton what other sport would you like to compete in?

That is a difficult question as Badminton has always been my favourite sport together with Football. I would definitely want to give Padel a go as it is very much like badminton and you can play it at all levels.

When you started playing badminton was competing in the Island Games always a goal?

I moved to Gibraltar when I was 23 so until then I never heard of the Island Games. I have always wanted to play tournaments and especially against teams from other countries. Island Games and Small States of Europe are the highlights and why we train hard to stay sharp and focused. This will be my 8^th Island Games and I look very much forward to visit Orkney to both compete and see new places.

Luke Henshaw, Sports Therapist

1. What made you become a ‘Sports Therapist’?

I decided to become a ‘Sports Therapist’, by chance. Always being involved in sport since a young age I competed in athletics and football) and then at 17 I coached football, Coaching youngsters is not only being a coach but also a mentor, injury assistant etc. I felt drawn towards the injury side of the role and so decided to go for a degree which encompassed Sport and Injury management more specifically than physiotherapy.

2. How did you become involved with being a ‘Sports Therapy’ for those representing Gibraltar in the Island Games?

After qualifying BSc Sports therapy in 2007, I decided to play badminton as a new sport. I joined the Badminton Association Leagues for team doubles, as part of the Lions FC badminton team. In January 2009 current badminton president Ivan De Haro asked me if I was interested in being part of the medical team for the 2009 Aland Island Games, only after realising I had helped treat some other members of the association. This being my 7^th games I have represented Gibraltar as part of the medical team as a whole for the Badminton association since 2009 par jersey 2015 for other commitments.

3. Has Sports therapy always been a passion of yours?

I have continued to utilise my skills at university since qualifying, although as an extra. I joined Lions Gibraltar FC and in 2013 and I am now going on to my 13^th Season with the team. I have always enjoyed helping athletes get back from injury to full fitness and ensure they are back to full form in order to participate. It’s a good feeling when patients achieve their goals, as a result of your assistance.

One of the best parts of being a Sports Therapist, has been that it has allowed me to travel to quite a few places over the years. Between 7 Islands games including the Bermuda Games and also taking part a few year’s ago in the UEFA Conference League Qualifiers with FC Magpies.

Employees

About us