WIGHTLINK SPONSORSHIP

 

Wightlink, Isle of Wight Ferries have agreed to sponsor the Isle of Wight based, Ryde Rowing Club for a further year taking the agreement through to May, 2006. They provide the Club with considerable assistance in transporting their competitors, coaches and equipment to and from the Island for mainland competition throughout the year. Their support allows the Club to compete on the mainland on a regular basis in the Hants & Dorset ARA Coastal Regatta programme during the summer months and inland in River events during the winter. Their support has been especially useful to the Clubs successful and expanding Junior Section enabling them to attend competitions and training camps on the mainland. Without Wightlink’s support all these activities would be substantially restricted.

Wightlink, Isle of Wight Ferries are the leading ferry operator across the Solent offering the greatest choice of routes with a fleet of eight car and passenger ferries and four high-speed foot passenger catamarans. Each year Wightlink carries in excess of 5.6 million passengers and 1.2 million vehicles across the Solent on its three routes, with more 72,000 sailings annually - up to 230 a day in peak periods. Wightlink’s sponsorship of the Ryde Club is the companies oldest sponsorship agreement - as they were the first Club sponsored by the company, formally known as Sealink following their support of the 1987 Isle of Wight hosted South Coast Rowing Championships Regatta. It is believed to be the longest running and most successful sponsorship partnerships in Coastal Rowing.

Wightlink have provided further support for the Club this year by providing assistance with travel to and from the Island for the Clubs Community Sports Coach who is working with the Clubs volunteer Coaches to expand their Junior Squad and establishing Club/School links with middle Schools in the Ryde area.