The Isle of Wight Island Games Association (IWIGA) have this week announced that Isle of Wight-based ICRTouch have agreed to be the Team IOW uniform sponsors for the NatWest Island Games in Gotland 2017.
ICRTouch are a globally recognised EPOS Software brand which has always been firmly based here on the Island. The company are able to support the games team through a significant sponsorship deal which will supply every member of the the team with tracksuit, t-shirt and shorts for use throughout the games, particularly during the opening, closing and medal
ceremonies.
The striking new design for the team uniform features the Isle of Wight Flag together with the ICRTouch logo and will be instantly recognisable throughout the games.
The IWIGA have been undertaking a crowdfunding appeal through PledgeSports.org to raise the finance for the uniforms and it was through this appeal that ICRTouch became aware of the need
for the local community to get behind their sporting team in a very positive manner. When the appeal was launched the IWIGA were hopeful that the Island’s renowned community spirit would come through and that funding would be found to help the whole team.
ICRTouch have agreed to fully fund the uniforms to the tune of £18,000, meaning that all monies raised through the crowdfunding appeal and other fundraising activities will go towards reducing
the cost of attending the games for the 150 strong squad taking part in Gotland next June. Getting to Gotland will still cost in the region of £1,000 per person and the recent falls in currency markets have been increasing the cost of travel and accommodation so this sponsorship comes at just the right time.
Former Isle of Wight competitors at the games include Kelly Sotherton, who went on to win Olympic Bronze and Commonwealth Gold medals in Heptathlon, as well as Darren Mew, Andy Frost, Richard Wilson, Kieran Page and Jess Andrews who have all competed at Olympic and Commonwealth Games. These games provide a massive sporting opportunity for the young people of the Isle of Wight and are the highest level at which the Isle of Wight takes part in International sports in their own right.
In Gotland next summer around 3,000 competitors from 24 Islands will take part in 14 sports making it one of the biggest multi-sport events in the world.
Colin Ringer, CEO of ICRTouch said:
“ICRTouch started in 1999 as a small EPOS software project that was supplied to pubs and restaurants around the Isle of Wight. Over the years it has since grown into a globally recognised
brand that supplies a world leading suite of EPOS software products to not just the whole of the UK but many other countries also. We now employ around 20 members of staff made up
predominantly of software developers, all of which live here on the Isle of Wight and will be moving to new much larger premises in Sandown at the start of next year.“On a personal level; though I’m aware that I’ve worked hard and have taken the opportunities and risks as they have appeared to me, I also feel quite fortunate to have achieved what I’ve been able to achieve throughout my life. Furthermore; I’m proud of the Isle of Wight and I love where we live but it does make me feel very sad when I see some of the bad press that we’ve received recently. So I’ve been looking for something that we could invest in that would enable us to give back something to our Island and to young people in particular that will show the rest of the country that Islanders can actually go on to achieve great things!
“When I found out that Team IOW were in need of a grant to be able to compete in the 2017 island games I figured that this was a good way to achieve that goal but also it’s something that our company and staff can get properly behind whilst helping to promote our brand; I actually think this could be fun!”
Martin Goodall, Chairman of the IWIGA said:
“To have an internationally recognised company from the Isle of Wight providing this level of financial support to Team IOW is a real boost as we prepare for the games. To find a local business
with global reach willing to support their team in this way is beyond our wildest dreams.“We can’t thank ICRTouch enough for the support they are providing, they have gone the extra mile and more! The IW team have been without any council funding or other corporate sponsorship
since the games were held here in 2011. It was a real possibility that without strong support from the IW Community that the chance to compete at this level for future generations of sporting talent would be lost.“We would still ask the people and businesses of the Island to consider joining with ICRTouch in providing whatever financial support they can to help some amazing young sporting talent have
their chance to shine on the International stage. The crowdfunding appeal will remain open for donations to ensure that everyone who is good enough to compete for the Island can get to the
games. If lots of people can give a few pounds each then the team will really feel the support of the IW Community behind them as they prepare for the games over the next 8 months.”
To donate to the Team IOW crowdfunding appeal, head to https://www.pledgesports.org/projects/gotland-2017-island-games/.
