Tata owned Jaguar Land Rover announce its sponsorship of the UK Team at the 2016 Invictus Games…reports Asian Lite news
2014 UK team competitors taking part in the Invictus Games 2014. Tata’s Jaguar Land Rover is proud to announce its sponsorship of the UK Team at the 2016 Invictus Games
The company will provide financial and logistical support via a fleet of vehicles, while the UK Team will wear the Jaguar Land Rover brand on their competition kit. Jaguar Land Rover has already pledged to be Presenting Partner of the 2016 Invictus Games following its successful support of the inaugural 2014 event in London.
The Invictus Games is a multi-sport event that is open to all wounded, injured and sick serving personnel and veterans, it is due to take place for the second time from 8th to 12th May 2016 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. The Invictus Games use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for wounded, injured and sick Servicemen and women.
Jaguar Land Rover UK Managing Director Jeremy Hicks said: “As a proud British brand, Jaguar Land Rover UK is delighted to be supporting the UK Team and continuing our long-standing relationship with many of the competitors. We also look forward to forming new relationships and supporting those who are using the power of sport to help their recovery.”
Land Rover ambassador Kelly Brown with the Rugby World Cup 2015 Defender
Jaguar Land Rover has a long history of supporting the British military and continues to demonstrate this through meeting commitments made through its Armed Forces covenant – it has hired more than 200 former servicemen and women since 2013. The company’s initiatives to boost employment for those leaving the Armed Forces include a work placement programme run in conjunction with Mission Motorsport and the Ministry of Defence’s Career Transition Partnership to help wounded, injured and sick former service personnel find a fulfilling second career.
Trials for the 2016 Invictus Games start today at the University of Bath Sports Training Village, with 188 athletes competing in a variety of events in the hopes of being part of the 100-strong UK team. Among them will be three veterans who have been working at Jaguar Land Rover as part of the company’s work placement programme for those injured in service.
Luke Darlington, 27, was injured in service with the Royal Marines, receiving traumatic brain injuries from a hit of shrapnel. He will be taking up a new role in February as a Production Leader at D7a BIW (Body in White) at Jaguar Land Rover Solihull, helping to produce the Jaguar XE sports saloon and the forthcoming Jaguar F-PACE performance crossover. Luke will be trialling for the cycling, indoor rowing and swimming events.
James McGill, 26, of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, was injured by an explosion while on foot patrol in Afghanistan. He received multiple shrapnel and exit wounds to his arms and legs, resulting in nerve reconstruction in his left forearm with the addition of a titanium plate and pins to support bone structure. He is currently employed by Jaguar Land Rover in Non Production Purchasing as a Buyer’s Assistant within the Experiential Marketing & Customer Services department. He will be trialling for a number of Track and Field events, including the 100m, 4 x 100m relay and Discus.
Mat Hancox, 28, of the Royal Marines, received a gunshot wound to the upper chest while acting as point man of a foot patrol in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, resulting in nerve damage to his right arm. Mat is employed as a Facility Supervisor for Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Operations division. He will be trying out in the Cycling events.