Three leading Scottish organisations have pledged support for the 2025 Orkney Island Games, generously committing to contribute £10,000 each to help promote the largest event the Islands will have ever hosted.
Salmon Scotland, Scottish Sea Farms and Cooke Scotland have each committed to becoming bronze sponsors of the games. Principally funded by Orkney Islands Council and EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, the three organisations will join existing sponsors including West of Orkney Windfarm, Sheila Fleet, and Nirvana Europe, alongside Orkney Builders, who are offering varying means of monetary and in-kind support.
The week-long island Games, taking place on Orkney in July next year, will welcome over 2,000 competitors and officials from 24 islands competing in 12 sports. Marking a milestone 40th year since the Games first began, it will be the one of largest multi-sport events taking place in Europe in 2025.
The £30,000 will help to bring the Games to life – from logistics to infrastructure, the sponsorship funds will go towards ensuring that Orkney delivers a world class sporting event in July next year.
Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland said:
“Salmon Scotland is delighted to join our companies in supporting Orkney 2025 – the bringing together of young people from across the world.
“The Island Games are a magnificent athletic and sporting occasion – the Island Olympics no less.
“There will be many people who work in the salmon sector across Scotland’s islands who, like me, can’t wait for July 2025 and what will be a true gathering of global sporting islanders.”
Scottish Sea Farms’ Heart of the Community Coordinator Jess Taylor-McKaig said:
“With Orkney being a core farming region for us, it feels only natural that we should join forces with fellow producer Cooke Scotland and trade body Salmon Scotland to support the hosting of the 20th Island Games.
“With a little over a year still to go, the anticipation is already tangible amongst colleagues, friends and families. That speaks volumes about the importance of the Games locally and is one of the key drivers for us lending our support, not just in terms of giving a Heart of the Community grant but providing volunteers, vessels and fresh salmon too.”
Colin Blair, Managing Director at Cooke Scotland, said:
“Cooke Scotland is delighted to support the 2025 Orkney Island Games and our staff look forward to welcoming participants and officials to the island for its largest event to date.
“As a major employer in Orkney and the Northern Isles we are deeply committed to the communities we operate in and it is important to us we contribute to the social network and economic health of the coastal and rural communities around us.
“We are proud to support a variety of local-led events, activities, and community projects through the Cooke Community Benefit Fund and we wish everyone the very best of luck in the Games next year.”
Orkney 2025 Chairman, Gordon Deans, said:
“2025 is an important year as it will mark the 40th year since the games began and will be the 20th Games to take place, so we’re grateful to Salmon Scotland, Scottish Sea Farms, Cooke Scotland and our other sponsors for their generous support.
“The logistics of delivering this event are very complex and any sponsorship efforts – whether they be monetary or in-kind, with these associated costs are incredibly valuable to the Games.”
In 2025, the Orkney International Island Games will provide a unique platform to showcase Orkney – from its natural beauty and welcoming people, to its amazing products and future-facing businesses and industries.
A brilliant opportunity to promote Orkney as the perfect host and Scotland as the perfect stage, event organisers are seeking further sponsors to enable the enormous undertaking to be run at the highest possible standard.
Gordon added: “We welcome enquiries regarding potential sponsorship from any businesses that would like to help us deliver a world class sporting event in Orkney next July.”
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said:
“Events play an important role in our communities, bringing social and economic benefits to the host region. Their support, alongside those of the other supporters and funders, will help ensure the delivery of a fantastic 20th Games and reinforce Scotland’s reputation as the perfect stage for events.”
For all information on the Orkney 2025 Island Games, please visit: https://www.orkney2025.com
