Sailing: Team BDA Receives $150K Sponsorship
KPMG in Bermuda has made a six-figure contribution to Team BDA, just as candidates for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup squad are put through the paces at a week-long training camp.
The $150,000 KPMG donation is the sailing team’s first local corporate contribution.
KPMG representatives visited the Team BDA training camp this week to observe the selection process, meet with members of the RBYAC Committee and offer words of encouragement to the candidates participating in the selection process.
Craig Bridgewater, managing director of KPMG, and senior managers Mark Lavery and Greg Muir visited the Team BDA training camp this week.
KPMG Managing Director Craig Bridgewater said, “KPMG’s approach to corporate citizenship is founded on the belief that business has a vital role to play in shaping stronger communities. To that end, we believe the RBYAC sailing program is far more than sports, but is also about providing a pathway to exciting new career opportunities for Bermuda’s young people.”
“KPMG has a long history of the finest corporate citizenship and social responsibility, giving to education, health and athletic causes across the island – including football, cricket, rugby and tennis. KPMG is also lead sponsor of the KPMG Front Street Mile and the KPMG Round the Grounds junior running races.”
“Private sector giving from our community will be a critical component to the success of Team BDA,” said Preston Hutchings, who manages fundraising for the RBYAC Committee. “We’re off to an excellent start with KPMG’s philanthropic leadership.
“We’re in discussions with others in corporate Bermuda to chip in and help our young people seize this incredible opportunity. It’s one of the most exciting international sporting opportunities the country has ever seen with clear legacy benefits for our community.”
The all-volunteer committee, responsible for creating and managing Team BDA, said they expect to fully fund the team with private sector donations.
Forty-six candidates were eligible for the training camp underway this week after meeting minimum physical and mental requirements earlier this year. The camp lasts through January 2, 2016.
In early 2016 the selection committee hopes to identify a squad of 18 of the best sailors and athletes who, with intensive training and coaching, will be equipped to compete with the world’s best young sailors in foiling high performance catamarans.
The final racing team will consist of six Red Bull Youth America’s Cup squad members, with others supporting as training partners and a shore team.
Team Bermuda will train and race in the Great Sound before a hometown crowd as they face other youth teams from around the world in June 2017. The Red Bull Youth America’s Cup in Bermuda will take place on one-design foiling AC45 catamarans – the same boats the professionals used in last month’s Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series.
Mr. Bridgewater said, “In making our commitment to Team BDA, it was important to see that our contribution would benefit a broad spectrum of young athletes. Having visited the training camp we can see that objective is being met. There are athletes from many different sports and a cross-section of our community attaining success in the selection process thus far.”
In addition to corporate support, Team BDA will seek the support of the general public and small businesses in an effort to engage the entire country in Bermuda’s quest to compete in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup. That fundraising campaign will begin in 2016.
For more information on corporate giving, please visit the Team BDA section of the ACBDA website.
Well done KPMG! Investing in our young people is the key to the future success of our island!
Very significant contribution by KPMG to youth sailing in Bermuda- congratulations to all involved.
It would be interesting to see the breakdown of the funds required to launch a Bermuda team and the level of financial support from Red Bull and other international sponsors.
One hand washes the other.
Craig, you are the BOMB! This is a ONCE in a lifetime opportunity and Bermuda’s youth deserves these opportunities. Black, white, whatever….working together as a community to enlighten out youth and show them opportunities is what counts!!! Thank you to you and to KMPG for making such a huge difference in the youth of Bermuda!!