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UKSA Announces Three-Year WightFibre Sponsorship To Fund Test The Water Programme

UKSA has announced that it has received sponsorship from WightFibre to fund Year 6 Islanders to undertake its Test the Water programme until 2026.

The funds will enable all Year 6 island children to participate in a free half-day water sports session this year, in a bid to support all young Islanders to gain water-confidence alongside introducing them to sailing.

As well as covering aspects of water safety, which is crucial to island life, the sessions are designed to develop confidence and key skills including communication, resilience and teamwork.

John Irvine, Chief Executive, of WightFibre, said:

“At WightFibre we care about our Island community.

"Through our sponsorship of the Test the Water programme, we are happy to help UKSA deliver new and positive life experiences for many young Islanders who otherwise — despite living on an Island — would never get the opportunity to get in or on the water.

"UKSA does amazing things and at WightFibre, we are happy to do our little bit to help and ensure this fantastic initiative will continue for many generations to come.”

Since 2015, 9261 Year 6 students have taken part in the Test the Water programme and so far this academic year (2022/23) 1,210 children have taken part in a half-day session from 11 local primary schools.

Further information on the Test the Water programme is available online.

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