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Sporting groups looking for money for new projects and events could very well find themselves in the paupers' line as the economic recession hits.

Caution will be the watch word for the corporate sector over the coming years. And though most businesses feel they can sustain their current level of support for sports programmes and events, several told the Bermuda Sun they are unlikely to take on new projects and events.

David Lang said XL's decision to pull its funding from the Coral Beach tennis tournament was a symbol of the harsh economic climate.

"There is an environment that is different from anything we've had in our lifetimes. I'm sure that the atmosphere in the philanthropic community will be one of caution.

"For example, the Bank of Bermuda Foundation, although it hasn't made a formal decision yet, I'm feeling that from various conversations from various board members, any big new capital projects will not be encouraged at this time because there's always the attendant operational need to support them once you get them started."

He said the foundation would continue its support for junior squash and the junior international tennis tournament but said broadening it's financial sponsorship was unlikely.

He added that there was no sense in building something if you can't support it with money to keep it running.

"We've heard various stories about Government being prudent and I hope that will continue.

"It will go a lot further than a few civil servant vehicles being taken off the roads. I don't know what success they'll have in cutting 10.5 per cent off all their budgets - that seems to me be an almost insurmountable task. That's a lot of money."

Added onto proposed budget cuts, more money is expected to be spent with the new facilities at White Hill Field, new anti-doping regulations, the Olympic size swimming pool, more money for elite athletes and track and field getting an increase in their budget.

The Bermuda Council for Drug Free Sports will require a lot more money this year as Bermuda becomes compliant with the new World Anti Doping Association regulations that will take effect in 2009.

"I would regard that as essential," Lang said. "Bermuda has to guard its reputation. Somehow that's got to be funded whether that's Government in partnership with the private sector or otherwise, that has to be done.

"I think groups will be cautious and there will be prioritization. Everything will be looked at closely."

Bruce Barritt, general manager for John Barritt & Son which sponsors a 10k race and also provides support to national teams and events in various sports, said: "We have to get some feedback from our overseas beverage partners to find out budgets they've earmarked for us this next year and figure out where we want to allocate it for best effect.

"It's safe to say we won't cut back on our beverage support. We do give water and Powerade at numerous bicycle events, triathlons, road races and BSSF events. We're happy to continue supporting that and that's really core to what we do in putting drinks in people's hands.

"Writing cheques will be progressively more difficult, but we haven't made any decisions at this point.

Jim Butterfield, president of Butterfield & Vallis, took the same position as Barritt.

"Our plan as of right now, we will continue to do what we've done and make every effort not to add on more. When it comes to sports sponsorship we are going to do what we've done in the past, but when we get new letters from new organizations asking 'give us consideration' I'm taking more of a position of 'No, I am staying with the ones I've done in the past.'"

Amy Shillingford, spokeswoman for the ACE Bermuda Group said: "ACE supports many charities and causes through both the ACE Foundation but predominantly supports sport, such as the BLTA schools programme, the rugby classic, and various youth sporting programmes through its sponsorship committee.  "We are well aware the current economic conditions and regularly review the way in which we do business to assess where efficiencies can be made.  However, ACE remains committed to its community partners.  Each request ACE receives for either sponsorship funds or philanthropic grants is assessed on its individual merits, regardless of whether the cause is the arts, education, the environment, or sports.  We do not anticipate any changes in the criteria by which we evaluate these requests."[[In-content Ad]]

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