Port of Dover announces nine new sponsorship awards after a hugely popular first year

Championing a happy and healthy society for future generations, the campaign, which launched this year, promotes positive physical and mental well-being among young people in the Southeast.

Nine sponsorships have been awarded altogether, including talented individuals with an ambition to take their skill one step further, local sports teams needing professional kit or a jumpstart to form new groups, and projects that encourage equality and diversity within the community.

Jenny Beacon, CSR and Community Executive at the Port said:

“It’s been so inspiring to see such a large and varied mix of applications for the 2023 Sponsorship Scheme – we thank everybody that has taken the time to apply.”

“We are proud to be supporting these incredible people and groups as they work so hard to reach their goal. They are role models for their supporters and other young people across the nation, and it’s brilliant to see the Scheme helping to break down barriers so every dream can become a reality.”

“The 2024 Sponsorship Scheme will return next May, with this year’s now closed.”

The full list of sponsorships:

• Alex Dack – Deal Triathlon Club and the Southeast Triathlon Academy – a local triathlete who aspires to win gold at the Olympics. Alex races at the Southeast Series, which he has won eight years in a row. He now wants to conquer the British Triathlon Super Series.

• Barton Junior School football team – Barton encourages physical and mental well-being among the team, with a positive impact on teamwork, pride, and behaviour within the school and its wider community.

• Canterbury Hockey Club – a non-profit sports club with 600 junior members. They aim to attract even more people, with more specialist coaches, equipment, and opportunities for summer clubs.

• Dover Pride – The Port was lead sponsor for this year’s event, showcasing the journey of the LGBTQ+ community throughout the years in Dover and celebrating equality and individuality.

• East Kent Football – Sandwich Sapphires – The Sandwich Sapphires are a relatively new girls’ team in the East Kent league. The sponsorship will help encourage girls to play football in a great group that promotes teamwork, social skills and wellbeing.

• Kaela Cheffins, The Alkham Valley Project – Kaela aims to reach her goal of representing Great Britain at the Paralympics in Para Dressage.  Kaela has cerebral palsy and the sponsorship is helping towards specialist riding lessons and equipment.

• Ollie Scott is a member of the British Para Triathlon Academy, finishing 2^nd overall in the 2023 Para Super Series. He has an ambition to win in 2024 and represent Great Britain in the World Championships, Commonwealth Games and then the Paralympics in 2028.

• Southeast Gulls – enables disabled children and adults to reach their potential on the football pitch by providing them with specialist equipment and kit. The sponsorship will also support the coaches, who are fully FA qualified, with additional disability football coaching certificates.

• Tommy Goldup – Dover Life Guard Club – Tommy is a competitive swimmer and joined the Dover Life Guard Club aged 10. He is recently back from the British Summer Championships in Sheffield, which is the highest domestic competition.

Miss Batley, Football Coach at Barton Junior School in Dover, said:

 “Football is a huge part of Barton Junior School’s identity and is of massive importance to the children; having a brand-new football kit will only help fuel the pride felt by the team when they are representing the school. Thanks to the Port of Dover, we have fantastic new first team kit, two match balls, training tops and a kit bag, and we cannot wait to wear it with pride this upcoming season.”

Ollie Scott, a member of the British Para Triathlon Academy, added:

“I am proud of my achievements this year; 3rd in the PTS5 category, 1st in a super series race and a 2nd placing for the whole series, not forgetting my top 6 finishes in the able-bodied Southeast Series. Next year can only get bigger and better – the Port of Dover sponsorship will help me purchase an advanced turbo trainer, which will greatly assist my winter training and help close the gap on my competitors.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• The Port of Dover is closing the gap every day between the UK and the world by connecting trade, travel, visitors and communities locally-globally, collaborating with local and international partners to create a more seamless, sustainable and tech-enabled port.
• As the UK’s busiest international ferry port and a vital gateway for the movement of people and trade, Dover handles £144 billion of trade per year, 33% of UK trade in goods with the EU and welcomes over 11 million passengers.
• Dover is also an award-winning cruise port, delivering world class travel and visitor experiences to the most prestigious cruise lines. With a growing and diversifying cargo business operating from state-of-the-art facilities, a brand-new marina which is a major feature of the exciting waterfront development, and opportunities for further expansion in the future, Dover’s proud history dating back 400 years has a new modern twist.