Generali Worldwide backs the Guernsey Island Games Team to bring home gold and announces bursary scheme

James Qualtrough | March 22, 2013 | 0 Comments

Generali Worldwide’s sponsorship of the Guernsey Island Games Team was secured in 2011 before the Isle of Wight Games, which saw Guernsey top the medal table and bring home 40 golds. As the team prepares for the Bermuda Games, Generali Worldwide’s support continues and a bursary scheme is also set to benefit individual sports in 2013.

The bursary scheme was introduced in 2012 to help ensure that all sports have access to additional funding. There are 18 Island Games sports. Some are very well supported, but other sports need help in order to thrive. One of the objectives of the Guernsey Island Games Association is to help ensure the future of a wide variety of sports and the bursary scheme will help them achieve that goal. David Inglis, Chairman of the Guernsey Island Games Association explains: “Right from the start, The Guernsey Island Games Association has been keen to ensure that part of Generali Worldwide’s sponsorship goes directly into the grass roots of sport and I am delighted that this is happening to ensure that the ethos of sports development within the Association is maintained.”

There are five bursaries available annually and, to date, the following sports have been awarded funds:

• Golf will be using the bursary to develop the junior game.

• Archery plans to buy vital equipment for competitions and practice.

• Basketball will be using the funds to bring coaches to the Island for team development.

• Volleyball plans to use their bursary for coaches and team development.

Giorgio Daboni, Chief Executive Officer of Generali Worldwide in Guernsey, explains why the bursary scheme has an important role to play in the development of Island Games sports in Guernsey: “As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility policy, Generali is keen to focus its sponsorship on education and sport. The Island Games is the pinnacle of sporting excellence for many participants but it is also an inspiring focal point that encourages others to get active and try out a new sport. It is important to help club-level sport thrive and our bursary scheme is designed to give sports assistance where they need it most.”

In 2013, there will be an additional five bursaries available and GIGA and Generali Worldwide are inviting Island Games sports to apply. Any of the 18 sports can request the extra funding, which can be used in a variety of ways. For example, to buy much-needed kit, to fund try-out sessions for youngsters, pay travel expenses to UK competitions or for a performance coach to help them gain a competitive edge. Sports should apply via the Guernsey Island Games Association website (www.giga.org.gg) or via their coaches, explaining how they will use the funds and what benefits it will bring.

Long established in the international financial services field, Generali has had a presence in Guernsey for over three decades. The organisation, consisting of Generali Worldwide, Generali International and Generali Portfolio Management, offers sophisticated and powerful life-insurance-based wealth management and employee benefit solutions to a global audience, including multinational organisations, international expatriates and certain local resident populations.

The Island Games Team sponsorship is part of Generali’s commitment to sport in the community and the organisation also supports two other ‘wellbeing’ initiatives in Guernsey – the Rising Stars programme and Get Active Fortnight.

Giorgio Daboni concludes: “The spirit of the Games and Guernsey’s team matches our own corporate drive to be the very best. The Bermuda Island Games promises to be an exciting event and no doubt our team will exceed our expectations.’’

The Bermuda Island Games takes place between 13th – 19th July 2013 and Guernsey is sending 11 teams to participate.