Stirling Medical Innovations (SMI) has agreed to continue as the main sponsor for Stirling Swimming’s competition for young swimmers from across Scotland.

The company, who are committed to promoting healthy living, will donate £800 to the local swimming club in support of the Stirling Junior Open Meet. 
It is the fifth year running that the company, who are developing a unique medical device to allow patients suffering from heart disease to manage their condition at home, are sponsoring the two day competition.

The annual competition which will involve 350 young swimmers from all over Scotland will be staged for the first time at The Peak sports village at Forthside on the weekend of 23rd and 24th of January (2010). 

Regarded as the premier event in the Scottish swimming calendar for young people, the January 2010 event will be the 23rd time it has been staged. A total of 28 clubs from all over Scotland will participate with competitors aged between 11 and 14 years swimming in 227 heats and 32 finals. 

SMI, who were established in Stirling in 2005, are keen to promote healthy lifestyle projects and support community initiatives as part of their corporate strategy. 

The company, which employs 76 highly qualified research scientists, engineers and support staff at is base on Stirling University Innovation Park, has integration with the local community as one of its objectives.

David Lang, Managing Director of SMI said: “The best form of healthcare is the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle from an early age. Stirling Swimming encourages that objective by providing the opportunity for young people to participate in an activity they can pursue throughout their lives. The club offers support across all age groups and swimming abilities which is why we are delighted to act as sponsor for their flagship fund raising event. The Stirling Junior Open Meet also gives young people the opportunity to achieve sporting excellence in a healthy competitive environment. It mirrors our own objectives in promoting a healthy, active, lifestyle and commitment to the community.”

Henriette Laidlaw President of Stirling Swimming commented: “Stirling Medical Innovations have once again demonstrated their generosity by acting as the main sponsor of our Open Meet competition for the fifth consecutive year. We are extremely grateful for their continued support in a difficult economic climate. Their support has enabled our club to introduce two important new initiatives in the past year; a competitive squad for young disabled swimmers and a young development squad to help pre-club swimmers hone their techniques and commitment before joining one of the club’ competitive squads.”

A cheque for £800 was presented to Club President Henriette Laidlaw by John Johnston of SMI as club captains Genna Doctor and Martin Cremin and head coach Kerry Wood looked on.