Dive Operator helping change lives by supporting Special Olympics Cayman Islands
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (MMD Newswire) January 18, 2012 — Red Sail Sports Grand Cayman, a leading resort based dive and watersports operator that has been setting the standard for quality customer service since 1987, has also quietly been changing lives of special Caymanians through its commitment to the Special Olympics Program of the Cayman Islands (SOCI). Since the organization was founded in 1987, Red Sail Sports has also provided employment opportunities for its athletes. Most recently the dive operator signed on to be a Silver Sponsor for the first annual Eric Crutchley Memorial Golf Tournament, a fundraiser for the Special Olympics. Crutchley was the past chairman of the organization.
Two athletes are currently on staff, including 22 year old Andrew Smiley, the most-decorated Special Olympics athlete in the history of the Cayman Islands. Andrew works in the company’s retail department assisting in the pricing and distribution of all retail goods. Red Sail Sports accommodates his training and competition schedule because management understands how important the program is to this competitive athlete.
“Andrew is able to contribute to his livelihood with what he earns,” said Rod McDowall Operations Manager. “He is a mainstream participant in life.” Supporting Special Olympics is a family affair ?McDowall’s wife Penny, a teacher at the Cayman Islands Lighthouse School and a Special Olympics aquatics coach, has been there to watch Andrew compete and win. She recalls a tough race in Ireland when he was 10 years old.
“Andrew asked me what he needed to do to win a medal and I told him he had to swim faster than he ever had before? to put it all out in one swim,” she said. A fierce competitor, Andrew won a silver medal with the best time he had recorded to that date. He’s competed all over the world, including the World games in Ireland, China and Greece.
There are more than 70 Special Olympics athletes in the Cayman Islands, from ages 8 to 50 and above. The Cayman program is small but very well organized and active offering soccer, basketball, swimming, track and bocce for the athletes, and all the training and traveling takes money. “We are an all voluntary organization, so sponsorship is important for the athletes to compete both on the national and international level,” said Penny McDowall.
Although SOCI organization is mostly volunteered driven, its 2012 budget to give the athletes the best quality year-round training and competition access is $100,000, so fund raising is critical. In addition to sponsoring fundraising events and providing full time employment opportunities for the athletes, Red Sail Sports also helps the Lighthouse School with work experience programs. “We are involved because Special Olympics is a great cause and Red Sail Sports takes its community service obligations seriously,” said Rod McDowall.
About Red Sail Sports
On Seven Mile Beach Red Sail Sports operates locations at the Westin Resort (345.949.8732), the Marriott Resort (345.949.6343) and Grand Cayman Beach Suites (345.949.8745). At East End the company has a concession at Morritt’s Tortuga Club (345.947.2097), and it offers dive and catamaran services to The Reef Resort. On North Side Red Sail Sports offers watersports activities at the Rum Point Club (345.947.9203). For more information call the Red Sail Sports main office at 345.623.5965, e-mail: info@redsailcayman.com or visit www.redsailcayman.com.
For more information on the Eric Crutchley Memorial Golf Tournament call the Special Olympics of the Cayman Islands, (345)946-7624 or e-mail soci@candw.ky.
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