The Ice Dundee performance team, which includes some of the best skaters from Great Britain and Ireland, has secured a sponsorship deal with full service law firm Thorntons.
Founded in 2019, one of the principle aims of Ice Dundee is to build a sustainable infrastructure for an elite figure skating academy in Dundee.
World class Coaching team Simon and Debi Briggs are GB Olympic Coaches and both have a record of producing Champions. With their guidance, the Dundee team has gained international interest, with the Lithuanian Figure Skating Champion Aleksandra Golovkina and her coach David Richardson moving to Dundee to work with the performance team and train alongside four-time British Ladies Champion Natasha Mckay.
Funding is essential for Ice Dundee to develop and implement a focused coaching structure capable of developing and delivering success at all levels – which includes excelling on international and Olympic platforms. Thorntons is the latest business to be secured as a sponsor to help fund the future and continued success of the Ice Dundee Team.
Colin Graham, Chair at Thorntons, said: “Thorntons has a national footprint in Scotland but we are very proud of our Dundee roots. We are passionate about supporting the communities in which we operate so we’re proud to partner with Ice Dundee. We wish the team the very best of luck in training and upcoming competitions particularly Natasha McKay who recently secured a qualifying spot for Team GB in the 2022 Olympics.”
Simon Briggs, GB Olympic Coach, added: “I am delighted that Ice Dundee's success has been recognised by such a prestigious company. It gives the skaters and the team recognition for all the hard work and supports us in building and sustaining an infrastructure to produce champions. I want to thank Thorntons for all their support which will go a long way."
Natasha McKay, said: "I am proud to be supported by local Dundee businesses. The infrastructure this funding helps to build is crucial for my preparation. I have qualified a spot for GB at the Winter Olympics 2022 and I am working hard on securing that spot for myself, through the selection process. This would fulfil my lifelong dream to represent my country at the Olympic Games.”
Photo: Derek Gerrard Photograph