Big boost for Island swimming

Big boost for Island swimming

Abacus has had a long association with swimming on the Island, supporting the association through the last four Island Games, and the £28,000 sponsorship commitment for this four-year period is a record high.The deal covers four annual island swimming championships and Channel Islands inter-insulars, including training camps and the necessary high quality competitions.These include the 2005 Island Games in Shetland, the build-up to the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and the 2007 Island Games in Rhodes.Jersey Amateur Swimming Association vice-president Paul du Feu said: ‘We are thrilled that Abacus will continue their support of local swimming for another four years.’Abacus’ help means we are a long way towards the funding we need to attend the next two Island Games and help swimmers who are aspiring towards the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne but, just as importantly, it gives us the security to commit to nurturing a strong team of swimmers of the future,’ he said.Abacus chief executive Huw Bolle-Jones said: ‘We are delighted to be able to increase our support for Jersey swimmers, a group of people who consistently display discipline, determination and a will to succeed – all qualities Abacus is happy to continue to be associated with.’The £7,000-a-year sponsorship will be spent on the four main events with the majority of money going towards training, team kit and travel costs.Abacus will also offer extra funds dedicated to an incentive scheme where financial rewards are given to swimmers who break Island records.’The Abacus Island Record scheme is an added incentive to Jersey’s leading swimmers,’ said du Feu.’While Simon Militis has retired, having won a Commonwealth medal and set a senior British 400m individual medley record, Jersey has a new promising swimmer in Simon Le Couilliard, who set a British junior record in the 200m butterfly earlier this year.The NatWest Island Games in Guernsey also proved a huge success for the Jersey swim team with Le Couilliard taking a gold medal and a new record in the 100m butterfly.

‘Natalie Brée broke records in the 200m individual medley and the 50m butterfly.

The whole team came home with medals after taking part in the relay events.’We’re confident new names will appear on the record-breakers list during the next four years,’ added du Feu.

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