Cooke Supports Orkney and Shetland Junior Inter-County

Cooke Scotland has sponsored the Orkney and Shetland teams ahead of the prestigious Junior Inter-County competition.

More than 180 young sporting competitors will converge in Orkney from 1-2 June 2024 to compete for the Stuart Cup across a variety of sports including football, hockey, netball, swimming, and athletics.

In the past two years Cooke Scotland has financially supported the two teams through the Cooke Community Benefit Fund and enabled every member to receive a hoodie or jacket.

Colin Blair, Managing Director of Cooke Scotland, said: “The Junior Inter-County competition brings people together, and as one of the biggest employers in both Orkney and Shetland, Cooke Scotland takes great pride in sponsoring the two teams for another year.

“Building on the strong links between the two islands, the games are a fantastic opportunity for the young participants to develop skills, self-esteem, sportsmanship and new experiences. We are delighted to provide funding to the teams through the Cooke Community Benefit Fund.”

Approximately 5,000 teenagers have participated in the highly anticipated and competitive sporting event, now in its 75th year,  which makes a significant contribution to the interaction of the two island groups.

Amy Gilbert of the Orkney Junior Inter-County committee, said:

“The committee and competitors are extremely grateful for the generous sponsorship from Cooke Scotland through their Community Benefit Fund. The money received has covered the entire cost of the competitors’ famous red hoodies.

“At a time of financial hardship, it is fantastic to be able to provide these free of charge. The sea of red jumpers on show throughout the weekend is a great spectacle and a prized possession for many years to come!”

Eleanor Pottinger of the Shetland Junior Inter-County committee, said:

“I would like to acknowledge the significant sponsorship from the Cooke Community Benefit Fund this year. There are five different sports involved in the Junior Inter-County, but for this one annual event they are all one team and the jacket is an important way of fostering that.

“This is also an important part of the Junior Inter-County tradition which goes back to 1947 and where Shetland and Orkney are easily identified by the colourful Blue for Shetland and Red for Orkney.”

Cooke’s core purpose is ‘To cultivate the ocean with care, nourish the world, provide for our families, and build stronger communities’.

Find out more about the Cooke Community Benefit Fund.