Red Sail Sports Grand Cayman, a leading resort-based dive and water sports operator, has been helping to change lives through its commitment to the Special Olympics Program of the Cayman Islands (SOCI).
Since the organization was founded in 1987, Red Sail Sports has provided employment opportunities for its athletes. Most recently the dive operator signed on to be a Silver Sponsor for the first annual Eric Crutchley Memorial Golf Tournament, a fundraiser for the Special Olympics.
Two athletes are currently on staff, including 22-year-old Andrew Smiley, the most-decorated Special Olympics athlete in the Cayman Islands' history. In addition to his training and competition schedule, Smiley works in the company's retail department assisting in the pricing and distribution of all retail goods.
"Andrew is able to contribute to his livelihood with what he earns," said Rod McDowall operations manager. "He is a mainstream participant in life." Supporting Special Olympics is a family affair. McDowall's wife, Penny is a teacher at the Cayman Islands Lighthouse School and a Special Olympics aquatics coach. She recalls a tough race in Ireland when Smiley was 10 years old.
"Andrew asked me what he needed to do to win a medal. I told him he had to swim faster than he ever had before, to put it all out in one swim," she said. A fierce competitor, Smiley won a silver medal with the best time he had recorded. He's competed all over the world, including the World games in Ireland, China and Greece.
There are more than 70 Special Olympics athletes in the Cayman Islands, from ages eight to 50 and above. The Cayman program is small, but well organized and active offering soccer, basketball, swimming, track and bocce.
"We are an all voluntary organization, so sponsorship is important for the athletes to compete both on the national and international level," said Penny.
Although SOCI organization is mostly volunteer driven, the 2012 budget required to give the athletes the best quality year-round training and competition access is $100,000; fundraising is critical. In addition to sponsoring fundraising events and providing full-time employment opportunities for the athletes, Red Sail Sports also helps the Lighthouse School with work experience programs.
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