Bestival to sponsor the only ‘all girl crew’ in the 2006 Inspire High School Challenge from the Isle of Wight College.
The Isle of Wight College has entered an ‘all girl crew’ into the Inspire High School Challenge, run by the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership (IWEP), which culminates with the girls competing against four other Island High Schools in the JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race on Saturday the 3rd of June. The aim of the project is to provide opportunities for young people to encourage them to aim high and make the most of the opportunities the Island offers.
The Isle of Wight College is the only school team to have an all female crew on board the race boat, which will this year be co-sponsored by the Bestival, the award-winning music festival which takes place at Robin Hill Country Park, Isle of Wight between 8th - 10th September.
Rebecca Holdstock (18), Harriet Payne (18), Katie Payne (18) and Louise Fretwell (16), along with Fiona Bowcombe a lecturer in Travel and Tourism at the Isle of Wight College and Adam Wilcox an UKSA instructor, will cross the line at 0650 in their J80 provided by the RYA, alongside the other 2000 anticipated entries.
The team will be supported by Emma Clarke (16), who will be driving the support boat and providing our sponsors with the opportunity to go out on the water to see the girls racing, and Alex and Dave Simmond’s, two mature students from the college will be the team photographer and camera person for the day.
Debbie Lavin the Isle of Wight College Principal said: 'This is an exciting challenge for the students and I am thrilled that the College will be competing in the race this year. Such events are wonderful opportunities for young people and I am delighted that the sponsors and organisers have made this special experience available to our students.'
The all-female crew will be resplendent in full Bestival colours as the event is co-sponsoring the girls in this mighty endeavour. It is strongly rumoured that Bestival head-honcho (and Radio One DJ) Rob da Bank is travelling to the Isle of Wight to personally launch the girls on their way next weekend (rumours that he will be dressed as Captain Birds-Eye for this occasion cannot be confirmed at this moment in time).