Sport on the Isle of Man has received a huge boost with news that Kelly Holmes Education will deliver the Isle of Man Sporting Excellence Programme and inspire a whole new generation of sports champions on the island.
The Double Olympic Champion who cemented a place in sporting history at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games has confirmed her team Kelly Holmes Education will lead the delivery of the new sports programme, supported by three of the Island’s leading businesses Creechurch Capital, Microgaming and SMP Partners.
The exciting partnership brings together Isle of Man Sport, the Isle of Man Coaches Association and the Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association. The three sponsors will together provide the necessary funding and support for 50-60 selected athletes and their coaches from a wide range of different sports to attend the Isle of Man Sporting Excellence Programme.
Paul Bridson spoke on behalf of the Department of Community, Culture & Leisure:
“We are delighted to be able to add this programme to the existing range of support we give to our best young performers and Commonwealth Games team members. We are extremely grateful to the sponsors for making it happen.
“Dame Kelly is a sporting legend with an incredible background in sport from both her career in the army and athletics. In addition to the knowledge she has to impart, I have no doubt she will also be an inspiration to all involved.”
Managing Director of SMP Partners, Mark Denton explained:
“The aim of the programme is to help the Island’s top performers reach the highest levels possible in their sports and, particularly with the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in mind, to become future medallists.
“The programme will include topics which many performers would not necessarily cover, any of which could make the difference at the top level of competition. In this respect we can think of no one more qualified, experienced and inspirational to deliver the programme than Dame Kelly Holmes.”
Roger Raatgever, CEO of Microgaming, added:
“We are proud to be supporting the Isle of Man Sporting Excellence Programme and it promises to be something quite special for sport on the Island. The programme will really enhance coach development in addition to benefitting individual athletes, thereby leaving a real legacy for the Island in years to come.”
CEO of Creechurch Capital, John Greenwood, said:
“The programme sends out a tremendously positive message at all levels; it benefits sport and young people on the Island and raises the profile of the Isle of Man generally. This news also shows the willingness of the private sector to contribute in such tough economic times.
“For each partner it is also a message which resonates with us all - to seek the highest levels of performance and excellence in everything we do.”
The first event for the new programme will be a two day educational camp at the National Sports Centre on 29 and 30 September 2012. This will be followed by a number of one day follow-up mentoring and education workshops over the following 12 months. The athletes selected for the programme will be announced shortly.
Dame Kelly Holmes added:
“We are delighted to be chosen to deliver this new education programme on the Isle of Man. It represents a fantastic opportunity for the selected young athletes to be part of this programme and we look forward to sharing an exciting journey in their development towards the Commonwealth Games and beyond.”
Pictured left to right: Roger Raatgever, CEO of Microgaming, Steve McGowan, Chairman SMP Partners, Dame Kelly Holmes, Doug Barrowman, Chairman Creechurch Capital.
