Firm gives athletes a sporting chance

By Ian Forsyth

Published:

International triathlete Fraser Cartmell with Iain Adams, managing director of Norwell

GOVERNMENT figures highlight that almost £90million was spent on sport and physical education initiatives in schools in Scotland last year, with further plans to inject cash into a network of facilities around the country to encourage people of all ages into sport and combat obesity.

Many businesses are also stepping up to the mark with sporting sponsorship opportunities.

One company doing its best to promote active lifestyles is Aberdeen-based Norwell, a global drilling project management group.

The managing director of Norwell, Iain Adams, said: “We feel it is important to sponsor something that we value ourselves as a company. Involvement in sports should be an integral part of a child’s development and the commitment and drive required to actively participate in sport develops many of the fundamental skills necessary to succeed in later life.”

The company sponsors two triathletes as well as the Knockburn Triathlon event on Royal Deeside, which took place in June.

The two Norwell-sponsored athletes are Mr Adams’ son, Michael, and Fraser Cartmell, from Forres.

Mr Adams added: “It has been interesting to see their careers develop and there have been many challenges for them as individuals and I am sure there will be more to come. Hopefully they will help raise the profile of participation sports and it will encourage other young people to give it a try.

“In Scotland, the low number of youngsters participating in regular sport is a genuine concern, so we hope that through sponsoring the right people and events we will be able to encourage others to follow in the same footsteps. With figures of childhood obesity still on the rise it’s important that we do what we can to set an example.”