Partner Article

Law firm helps sports star make a splash

A North East law firm is helping a young sporting star to get to the top of the world. Newcastle-based Ward Hadaway is sponsoring Newcastle University student Jamie Oughton as he bids to continue his success in wild water racing. The 20-year-old was ranked 17th in the sport’s World Cup last year and is looking to climb even higher this time around.

The law firm is providing financial support for Jamie via the Sport Newcastle Corporate Sponsorship programme, which enables athletes to get backing from regional businesses.

Jamie Martin, managing partner at Ward Hadaway, said: “We got involved with the Sport Newcastle scheme because it is a great opportunity to help some of our finest sports people to achieve their goals. Jamie has already proved himself to be a top class international athlete and hopefully with our help he can go on to even bigger and better things.”

Ward Hadaway’s sponsorship will help Jamie Oughton with expenses including boat repairs and travel costs as he heads to the wild water racing World Cup in Austria and the Czech Republic this summer.

Jamie, who trains on the Tyne at Newburn while in the North East, said: “Getting this level of support and backing is fantastic and I am very grateful to Ward Hadaway for agreeing to help me progress in my sport. “Hopefully I can do well in this year’s World Cup to justify their faith in me.”

Wild water racing is a form of kayaking which combines flat water racing with slalom racing. Competitions take place down fast flowing mountain rivers. The competitor must choose the fastest racing line down the river, and success requires technical ability reading the river and an efficient paddling style.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .