Dart continues to support Special Olympic swimmers

The partnership between Stingray Swim Club (SSC) and the Dart Grants programme has proven to be successful according to a recent SSC press release.

Over the past two years, SSC received more than $25,000 to assist with two projects catering for three Special Olympics Cayman Islands (SOCI) swimmers within SSC and the club as a whole.

The first project consisted of subsidising membership/coaching fees and travel costs for SOCI swimmers, while the second project ensures safe and competitive facilities for SSC.

The funds have enabled the repair of timing equipment used in meets that feature clubs from across Cayman, and have also been used to purchase specialised equipment for strength training, injury prevention and rehabilitation.

“The equipment we have purchased for our athletes has helped set us apart from any high school programme I have ever seen or been a part of,” said Stingray Head Coach David Pursley.

“I can say with confidence that we have the most robust dryland and strength training programme for high school athletes that I have ever seen. The equipment has helped our athletes reach the highest levels.”

The contributions from Dart has shown to be effective as the three SOCI swimmers with the SSC, all medalled at the 2019 Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi. “We have graduated many swimmers over the last couple years and the feedback I get from their college coaches is overwhelmingly positive,” said Pursley.

“Their strength coaches in particular praise our programme for having some of the most technically proficient athletes in the weight room they have ever come across in the sport.”

As the eventful 2020 comes to a close, swimming is shortlisted among a handful of sporting associations that has managed to continue competition on Islands while following COVID-19 regulations.

Pursley thanks Dart for their generous contributions that has allowed for the continued inclusion of athletes from SOCI.

“I cannot thank Dart enough for the grant,” said Pursley. “I feel truly blessed to have just about everything I could want for training equipment. We have put it to great use and you can see the difference in our athletes.”