ISLE of Wight ferry company Wightlink is welcoming several new teams and groups to its 2024 sponsorship scheme, now in its 37th year.
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In total, more than 50 sporting, arts and charity groups will receive supported cross-Solent travel from the ferry company throughout the year, making it easier for them to travel to the mainland for fixtures, competitions, training, and events as part of the Wightlink in the Community initiative.
In addition, 75 individuals will be supported by Wightlink through the Isle of Wight Council Talented Athlete Scheme.
These include many of the Island’s top sporting achievers, who regularly compete at county, regional and national level.
New this year are Oakfield Youth Football Club, Ryde Sea Cadets, Wight Eagles Football Club, Curtain Call Creative and Surfers Against Sewage South Coast.
“Our Wightlink in the Community programme is hugely important to us,” says the company's commercial director, Phil Delaney.
“Over the years, we have built strong relationships with the clubs, teams, groups, and charities we have supported, seeing them compete and perform at the highest levels.
"These groups are hugely important to the Island’s community, providing opportunities for young people to develop their skills, broaden horizons and realise their ambitions.
“This year, we are delighted to welcome some new groups to our sponsorship scheme and look forward to following their successes in the year ahead.”
Ryde Sea Cadets commanding officer, Linden Softley, said: “We’re thrilled to be supported by Wightlink this year. The sea cadets is all about developing young people’s confidence, teamwork skills, respect and resilience through adventurous activities.
"Thanks to Wightlink’s support, we will be able to take part in more mainland-based activities this year — and also give our cadets the opportunity to spend time onboard Wightlink’s fleet to find out more about maritime careers.”
Val Gard, a coach at Seaclose Swimming Club, said: “Being part of Wightlink’s sponsorship programme is having a really positive impact on our club.
"The travel support is making mainland training and competitions more accessible for our members, giving them the opportunity to experience swimming at the next level and inspiring them to progress within the sport.”
Stephen Bull, of Ryde Rowing Club, echoed her sentiments.
He said: “We’ve been sponsored by Wightlink since 1987 and, thanks to their continued support over the years, we've been able to regularly compete at regattas on the mainland and, importantly, provide travel support to our younger members, who are often required to attend multiple mainland events when seeking regional selection.
"Without Wightlink’s ongoing support we simply wouldn’t be able to compete at as many events and opportunities for our talented members would be reduced.”
Wightlink is also proud to help a number of groups which undertake important work to preserve and enhance the environment.
This year, Wightlink is welcoming Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) South Coast to its sponsorship scheme — assisting the group with cross-Solent travel as they undertake beach cleans, education work and lobby for cleaner seas.
SAS regional representative, Chani Courtney, said: “We hope to carry out even more beach cleans on the Island this year, and do more visits to schools and groups to raise awareness of plastic and sewage pollution in our oceans — and how we can work together to clean up our seas.
"Wightlink’s help will allow us to bring more resources to the Island to help us in our important work.”
SUPPORTED GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS IN 2024
Teams and Clubs: Isle of Wight Athletic Club, Isle of Wight Cricket Board, Isle of Wight Hockey Club, Isle of Wight Ice Hockey, Isle of Wight Triathlon Club, John Cattle’s Skate Club, Newport Phoenix Amateur Boxing Club, Newport IW Youth FC, Oakfield Youth FC, Portsmouth Academy FC (Island-based players) and Pompey in the Community, Royal Victoria Yacht Club, Ryde Harriers, Ryde Rowing Club, Ryde Sea Cadets, Seaclose Swimming Club, Shanklin Sailing Club, Solent Devils Ice Hockey Club, Solent Synchro, Sporting Opportunities Isle of Wight, Surf England (Boe Howell), Vectis Rugby Football Club, Wight Eagles FC and Wightlink-Wight Mountain Cycle Racing Team.
Arts: Curtain Call Creative, Fusion Arts Academy, gifted artists (including Thomas Luke, Anna Constable, Ebb Phillips, Ava Cowan and Amelie Jones), Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra, Joel Morris Dance Academy, Julia Margaret Cameron Trust (Dimbola Museum and Galleries), Medina Theatre, MLD Studio, New Carnival, Platform One College of Music, Quay Arts, Shademakers UK, Shanklin Theatre and West Wight Arts Association.
Charities: Ability Dogs 4 Young People, Aspire Ryde, Isle of Wight Steam Railway, LBT Global, Naomi House and Jacksplace, Sporting Bears Motor Club and Isle of Wight Summer Camp, The Elizabeth Foundation, WightAID Foundation.
Wightlink also supports a number of groups which are working to preserve and enhance the environment: Blue Marine Foundation, Forestry Commission (Sea Eagle Project), Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, RSPB, Surfers Against Sewage (South Coast), University of Portsmouth (Institute of Marine Sciences).
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