Wightlink is welcoming several new teams and groups to its 2024 sponsorship scheme, now in its 37th year.
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.
Talented athletes
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 groups
New this year are Oakfield Youth Football Club, Ryde Sea Cadets, Wight Eagles Football Club, Curtain Call Creative and Surfers Against Sewage – South Coast.
Delaney: These groups are hugely important to the Island’s community
Wightlink’s Commercial Director, Phil Delaney, said,
“Our Wightlink in the Community programme is hugely important to us.
“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.”
Softley: We’ll be able to take part in more mainland-based activities
Linden Softley, Commanding Officer, Ryde Sea Cadets says,
“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.”
Gard: It’s having a really positive impact on our club
Val Gard from Seaclose Swimming Club says,
“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.”
Bull: Without Wightlink’s ongoing support we simply wouldn’t be able to compete
Stephen Bull from Ryde Rowing Club says,
“We’ve been sponsored by Wightlink since 1987 and thanks to their continued support over the years we have 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.”
Surfers Against Sewage
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 Rep Chani Courtney says,
“In 2024 we hope to carry out even more beach cleans on the Island and increase the number of 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.”
Wightlink in the Community: 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 – NEW
- Portsmouth Academy FC (Island-based players) and Pompey in the Community
- Royal Victoria Yacht Club
- Ryde Harriers
- Ryde Rowing Club
- Ryde Sea Cadets – NEW
- 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 – NEW
- Wightlink-Wight Mountain Cycle Racing Team
Arts:
- Curtain Call Creative – NEW
- 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 & Galleries)
- Medina Theatre
- MLD Studio
- New Carnival
- Platform One College of Music
- Quay Arts
- Shademakers UK
- Shanklin Theatre
- West Wight Arts Association
Charities:
- Ability Dogs 4 Young People
- Aspire Ryde
- Isle of Wight Steam Railway
- LBT Global
- Naomi House & Jacksplace
- Sporting Bears Motor Club & 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 – NEW
- University of Portsmouth – Institute of Marine Sciences
