Ability Dogs 4 Young PeopleWightlink 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. 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. Wightlink’s Commercial Director Phil Delaney
“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.”
“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.” Ryde Sea Cadets
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.”
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.”
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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
Wightlink Wight Mountain Cycle Racing Team With Phil Delaney And Sam WoodmanArts:
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:
All ferries need to be taken into public ownership, Wightlink should be at the top of the next Labour governments list.
Voice of reason
2 years ago
No wonder the Ferry Fares are the most expensive in the world per
Mile.
Less Sponsorship costs could result in cheaper Ferry fares for everyone.
Anne Bernard
2 years ago
Wightlink are a company that promotes ageism. When we applied for sponsorship for bowling which is a well supported sport on the island and supports an all age sport. However they declined to sponsor bowls as they said they only support sports with young people.
Now if they could spend as much on maintenance…..
All ferries need to be taken into public ownership, Wightlink should be at the top of the next Labour governments list.
No wonder the Ferry Fares are the most expensive in the world per
Mile.
Less Sponsorship costs could result in cheaper Ferry fares for everyone.
Wightlink are a company that promotes ageism. When we applied for sponsorship for bowling which is a well supported sport on the island and supports an all age sport. However they declined to sponsor bowls as they said they only support sports with young people.