Scotia Bank forms two-year partnership with SVGASA

The Bank of Nova Scotia has teamed up with the St Vincent and the Grenadines Swimming Association (SVGASA) to provide assistance, as the organisation continues its mandate to develop swimming in the country.{{more}}

The bank has reached out and has committed to providing assistance to the SVGASA for a period of two years.

According to Stephen Joachim, president of the SVGASA, the association has been active for a few years and was now at a stage in its development where it needed partnerships to ensure that it continues to develop its mission to promote swimming.

“The emphasis is on encouraging the youth on both recreational and competitive aspects of swimming,” Joachim said.

“Our society puts tremendous emphasis on the academic education of our children; this is correct, but it is also important to see the role that sports can play in developing character and discipline,” he continued.

Swimming is one of the few sports that requires little resources to start and is an ideal sport for significant parts of our country and also offers academic opportunities to those who excel, in the form of scholarships at universities.

It was for this reason that a decision was taken, according to Joachim, to reach out to several business houses to offer them the opportunity to partner with the SVGASA to develop swimming.

“Given the challenges of our economic conditions, we are acutely aware of the need to stress a partnership in which all parties can benefit,” the SVGASA president said.

A decision was taken to partner with a maximum of six businesses, with the goal of attracting two gold and four silver partners as fulltime supporters, with a minimum two-year commitment.

The Bank of Nova Scotia has agreed to be the first gold partner.

Syran Clarke, Commercial Banking manager at the Bank, said that his company was happy to be a sponsor.

“We have the development of youth in our DNA,” he said referring to the work done regionally with Kiddies Cricket and the sponsorship of the 2010 Miss Teen Heritage pageant.

“So, when you say youths and development, that’s Scotia Bank,” Clarke said.

Lesley Howard-Bowman, Personal Banking officer at the Bank of Nova Scotia also said how pleased she was be associated with the SVGASA.

“Swimming helps in the education and discipline and we are here to support this venture, because we believe the children will do well,” Bowman said.

She spoke of the benefits of the initiative, saying that swimming will not only assist in the development of the nation’s youth, but get them to learn to swim safely.(DD)