BTC is well known as a promoter and financial supporter of Bahamian talent across all fields providing financial assistance and sponsorship for education, performance artists and athletes. Eldri Ferguson-Mackey, BTC Vice President, Marketing, Brand and Communications, said that BTC’s commitment to nurturing Bahamian talent is part of the company’s culture of philanthropy and nation building.
“To BTC, helping bring about the fruition of Bahamian dreams is a part of nation building. BTC is committed to supporting the development of young Bahamian students, athletes, entertainers, and entrepreneurs, who stand as examples of the best of what The Bahamas has to offer.”
She continued, “In exchange for endorsing BTC products and services, talented Bahamians like Olympic swimmer Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace receive sponsorship and gain exposure by appearing in BTC’s many radio, television, digital media and print advertisements.”
Fresh off of her double-gold success at the Arena Pro Series meet, Bahamian Olympian Arianna, who is currently featured in BTC’s Ads for hi-speed internet, thanked BTC for financially enabling her to get the training she needs and boosting her image in Bahamas.
“2015 makes year three of my sponsorship by BTC, and the relationship has been really helpful,” said Arianna. “Funding, for a professional athlete is crucial. The funding that they provide allows me to get what I need to be the best athlete I can be. It ensures I get the supplements I need, the right food, physiotherapy, and other essentials. It is absolutely necessary.”
“The sponsorship has also really helped to get my name out. Before, people would see me and know me as ‘the swimmer’ but thanks to BTC they know who I am, and call me by name.”
The swimmer said she is pleased with her recent performance, and hopes that her success can help to break down barriers for Bahamian swimmers coming after her.
“It’s great to win, but I am more excited about my race times. Right now, I am ranked 5th in the world in the 50 freestyle, the first time I have been ranked top ten at this time of year, so it feels great and I think it will help to catapult me into my next meet.”
“I think it’s exciting to know that I am setting a path for other swimmers to follow. I know that when I was coming up there were swimmers like Nikia Deveaux and others who were the first to do what they were doing. So I hope that I can be that next step and that more Bahamians will follow in our footsteps in the sport.”
Arianna has a busy 2015 agenda, her schedule will take her throughout USA, Canada, Mediterranean, and possibly Russia for the World Championships. However, she still intends to come home to Bahamas to give back.
/br> Arianna will return for the Bahamas Swimming Federation’s Inaugural Gala Awards in March and leverage her experience to improve the sport in Bahamas. Teaming up with fellow Bahamian Olympian Vereance Burrows and American Olympic sensation Ryan Lochte, Arianna will lead a skills and technique workshop for competitive swimmers in the country.
Arianna has also rounded up some of her American team mates to volunteer with ‘Let’s Swim Bahamas,’ a learn-to-swim programme that provides free swim lessons to Government Primary Schools.
BTC sponsored Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace teams up with BTC call center employee Ricardo Peters to assist customers. Arianna says one of her greatest hopes is that her career can be a way to give back to the Bahamas.
